Stunell presses Blair on climate change action

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 9th Nov 2004

Local MP, Andrew Stunell is pressing Tony Blair, who takes over presidency of the EU and G8 summit next year to fulfil his pledge to make climate change and world poverty top of his agenda by taking action on three climate change issues.

Andrew Stunell said:

"Climate change is a major contributor to world poverty, so these three actions could kill two birds with one stone. I'm asking Tony Blair to do the following:

• persuade the G8 agree a plan for a long-term solution to climate change.

• prioritise climate and disaster risk reduction in overseas development programmes in the UK and EU.

• launch a plan of action to help Africa develop resistance to climate-related risks."

This week, Mr Stunell teamed up with "Tearfund", an organisation focused on tackling world poverty, and other concerned MPs to get concrete answers from Tony Blair.

Andrew Stunell added:

"Floods and famines in Africa affect us all in one way or another. Whether it's through mass migration or the money generous people here in Stockport give to charities everyday. There is an urgent need for a long-term sustainable solution and Tony Blair is perfectly positioned to deliver it."

ENDS