Liberal Democrats Lead the Fight Against Extreme Weather

6 Oct 2014
flooding

The Lib Dems have today agreed to new measures that will combat adverse weather resulting from climate change. The proposals will reduce the likelihood of a repeat of the widespread flooding that occurred in 2013-14.

Following today's vote it is now party policy to introduce regulations that will see higher standards for buildings in at risk locations, as well as proposals that will assist landowners in adapting to new risks and improving the natural defences of lowland areas.

Inadequate building regulations and agricultural practices have been partly blamed for the wide extent of the flood damage last winter.

Proposals will work towards building natural resilience to extreme weather, rather than waiting to clean up the damage.

In the long term the plans will see the Government make preparations for a potential 3-4°C increase in global temperatures.

The independent Committee on Climate Change concluded in July 2014 that at current rates of investment in flood defences, flood risks in England will increase, and that intensive farming is still being supported in areas where the ground needs natural vegetation to soak up rainfall.

Liberal Democrat DEFRA Minister, Dan Rogerson said: "The widespread flooding of last winter shows how urgently we need to prepare for the side effects of climate change. We can expect more extreme weather events in the future and without sufficient planning we will suffer untold damage to our lives, communities and economy.

"The proposals, which have been put forward, and supported, by our party members, will further protect this country from what is undoubtedly the biggest long term threat to this nation in modern times."

Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Climate Change, Ed Davey, added: "The Lib Dems have long taken the lead on fighting climate change. Next year, in Paris, we are working towards an agreement that will create the vital framework the world needs to keep the global goal of limiting average global temperature increases to below 2°C within reach, and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

"Living with regular extreme weather events may become a reality but the Lib Dems are doing everything we can to halt the onset of a changing climate. We've more than doubled the electricity generated from renewable resources since the start of this parliament. This is largely down to the rapid expansion of the onshore and offshore wind sector.

"Thanks to the Energy Act 2013 - only possible because of Liberal Democrat leadership - Britain is now seen as one of the most attractive countries in the world for investment in green energy. This means we will see out renewable electricity capacity double again by 2020."

The proposals follow on from years of the Liberal Democrats campaigning for tougher environmental protection.

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