Npower have been rumbled! Over the past few days a top tax expert, Richard Murphy from Tax Research, has been investigating their accounts. Today the results of that investigation – paid for by donations from 38 Degrees members – are splashed across several pages in the Sun newspaper.

So here’s the likely explanation for why Npower aren’t paying any corporation tax (surprise surprise, it’s not something you’ll see mentioned in any of their own publicity): it seems that they’re funneling profits made in the UK through a shell company in Malta. Why, you ask? Well, it looks like it helped them dodge a whopping £60 million in tax over the last four years!

EMAIL THE NPOWER CEO

SIGN THE PETITION TO GET THEM TO PAY THEIR FARE SHARE

Update: it’s bad news. It was a great effort, but the big climate vote in the European Parliament didn’t go our way. It was a close call – with 334 MEPs against the reform, and 315 in favour.

We didn’t make it easy for them. Together, 38 Degrees members sent over 51,000 emails pushing them to vote the right way. MEPs in Brussels certainly felt our pressure, and we persuaded four Conservatives MEPs to vote with us (Nirj Deva, Richard Ashworth, Malcolm Harbour and Robert Atkins).

It’s frustrating when we don’t win, especially when it’s on something as important as climate change. This time, it wasn’t enough. But now we have the technology and form to put pressure on MEPs in the future. People power is coming to Brussels and they’d better watch out!

Over the next few weeks there’ll be fresh opportunities to make a difference on climate change. Here in the UK, together we can continue our push for a clean energy target in the energy bill. Click here to get involved.

Is Npower the new Starbucks? At the same time as hiking our energy bills, Npower are using accounting tricks to dodge paying their fair share of tax in the UK. Yesterday it was revealed that they haven’t paid a single penny in corporation tax for the last three years!

NPower’s accounting scam works like this: they are turning UK operating profits into accounting and tax losses by making large “interest payments” to other parts of their own business, based overseas. This is currently legal – and in the longer term, we need to push the government to close this blatant loophole. But right now we have a chance to force Npower to drop this scam – so please sign the petition now

But now this is out in the open, Npower are vulnerable. Just look what a PR disaster it was for Starbucks when their tax affairs were exposed last year. Tax dodging scandals can ruin a company’s reputation. And that can cost them their customers.

Npower rely on their customer loyalty. If they realise that their tax scams are damaging their reputation, they’ll have to back down. So let’s make them feel the strength of public opposition by building a HUGE petition warning them that their customers are ready to leave them. Please click here to sign.

A huge petition can help turn this tax dodge into a full-on PR crisis for Npower. It’ll help spread the word and raise awareness of what they’re up to. And it’ll encourage the media to keep reporting on this scam. That’s exactly what Npower’s PR team don’t want to happen!

After Starbucks’ tax scams came out, customers crossed the street to buy coffee from another cafe. Npower will already know that they’re at risk from customers switching gas and electricity providers. It’s not like it’s that difficult to switch – we proved that last year, when thousands of us switched together to get a better deal.

The news of yet another huge company like Npower dodging tax stinks, and not just because it comes at a time when our gas and electricity bills are going through the roof. By dodging tax, Npower are actively contributing to the UK’s deficit - and to the stinging impact of government cuts.

Let’s force Npower to stop using accounting tricks to dodge their fair share of tax . Sign the petition to Npower now.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 16/04, European MPs (MEPs) will make a decision that could be critical in the fight against climate change. They’ll be deciding on the future of an important tool, called the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), that the EU introduced to try and stop industry putting lots of carbon into the atmosphere.

The ETS is crucial to reducing carbon emissions across Europe. The ETS limits the emissions of carbon intensive industries through what’s known as ‘cap and trade’: high-polluting businesses in Europe trade the right to put carbon into the atmosphere. Cleaner businesses benefit because they don’t have to spend as much on carbon ‘allowances’ – so they make more profit.

As the cap shrinks, carbon emissions reduce – fighting climate change and encouraging green growth in the process. But the financial crash sent the price of carbon into a tailspin, and recently the ETS hasn’t been working properly.

Tomorrow, MEPs have a vital decision to make. They could make changes to ensure this system for tackling pollution doesn’t break down completely. Or they could do nothing, and we could lose an essential tool in the struggle to stop dangerous climate change.

We need to move fast. MEPs are being lobbied hard by carbon-hungry European companies who want to keep the price of polluting low. It takes 2 minutes to email your regional MEPs. Click here to send them an email now.

The crucial vote is next week, and it’s going to be close. It’s hard to know which way MEPs will vote. David Cameron wants them to support the move, but rogue Conservative MEPs are seeking to scupper the scheme by voting against it. They’re planning to go against government policy, and against the best interests of Britain and the planet.

MEPs often aren’t used to their voters taking an interest in what they do. So if lots of us get in touch and tell them to do the right thing, we stand a good chance of convincing them to vote the right way tomorrow.

It’s time we made ourselves heard in Brussels. If you’d like to email your MEPs, click here.

It was a “colossal failure” of management. The trio of top bankers to blame for the collapse of HBOS were “reckless” and “deluded”. Lots of us have been thinking along these lines for years – and now, a parliamentary commission has taken the words right out of our mouths.

The MPs and Lords on the commission have singled out Lord Stevenson, Sir James Crosby and Andy Hornby as the ex-bosses responsible. But, so far, they’ve only had a slap on the wrist – even though MPs have made it clear that they’re not “fit and proper“ to ever work in the City again.
The banking regulator has the power to stop these men working in finance, but they’ll be coming under pressure not to make a fuss from powerful banking lobbyists. Together, 38 Degrees members can show them that taxpayers, who own a staggering 41% of HBOS, want these bankers to face a City ban.

MPs and Lords have said that these ex-bosses “should be barred” from the City. The regulator is feeling the heat, but so far they’ve not made a move. We can intensify the pressure they’re under to make the decision fast. Together, we have the people power to make the regulator squirm.

All of us paid to bail out the banks. And many of us are now feeling the pain. Let’s make sure that these super-rich City boys are properly held to account for their failings.

The three bankers at the heart of HBOS’ collapse are only the tip of the iceberg of our broken banking system. 38 Degrees members will continue to work together to clean up our banks for good. We know it’s possible. Let’s make sure we don’t let these ex-bosses get away with it.

Add your name to the petition now. 

The energy bill campaign is in full swing. So far, almost 23,000 38 Degrees members have written to their MP to ask them to sign up to a cleaner energy future.  Tim Yeo MP has submitted amendments to the energy bill currently going through parliament which would ensure a firm decarbonisation target becomes UK law. George Osborne and the government oppose it – but experts from across civil society agree that this target is vital.

Some MPs have written thoughtful, reasonsed responses to their constituents – but some MPs have been using the same well-worn arguments to explain away their refusal to support Tim Yeo’s vital amendments. Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have compiled two brilliant guides to countering some of these common replies.

Excerpts are below. Thanks Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth!

Responding to Conservative MPs – Friends of the Earth

“First, let me assure you that the government is committed to setting a decarbonisation target.”

How we wish that were true.  In reality, nothing in the Energy Bill or the government’s amendments commits them to setting a decarbonisation target either now or in the future.

“The government recently laid amendment to the energy Bill to enable a legally binding decarbonisation target for the electricity sector to be set in 2016.”

This is very sneaky wording. The government recently laid amendments are in reality a step backwards. Here is why:

No commitment:

• They outlaw any target for the power sector being set before 2016, but do not commit the government to setting a target after.  It just says a carbon target for the power sector can be set in 2016 at the earliest but does not have to be set in that year  - or have to be set at all.

No decarbonisation:

• Even if a target was set, it would not have to be a target to clean up the power sector. According to the government’s proposals, a target can be set at any level of ‘carbon intensity’ (meaning how many climate changing carbon emissions can be created for each unit of electricity produced ) and the target doesn’t have to be met by 2030, or any other date.

This means that the Government could set a target so high that allowed them to build 40 new gas power stations as George Osborne is pushing for in his reckless campaign for a new dash for gas. The proposals are so weak they could technically even set a target for electricity to be  more polluting than it is today. When former Government Energy Minister John Hayes was asked by MPs in January if there could be any limit on what the target could be added to the amendments, he gave a flat out no.

“Powers to set a decarbonisation target range for 2030 will be brought forward in secondary legislation.”

This is wrong. The power being included in the energy Bill is to set a ‘target range’ for any year from 2030, not for 2030. Strangely, it also outlaws any target being met any year before 2030 . It also does not have to be a set at a level  that would significantly reduce the carbon in our electricity as explained above .

“It has been decided to set the target in 2016, once the committee on climate change has provided advice; in line with the fifth carbon budget which covers the corresponding period.”

The government’s independent advisers on climate change the committee on climate change have already told the government that they think a decarbonisation target of 50 g of carbon per kilowatt hour of electricity should be set in the Energy Bill now. They have recommended this as part of their duty to advise on what the most cost-effective way to meet our legally binding commitments to cut 80% of our carbon emissions by 2050.

They most recently wrote to the Government asking them to re-consider and set a decarbonisation target now on the 27th February.

If the government doesn’t change its mind this would be the first time that they have ignored significant advice from the committee since it was established by the 2008 climate change act.

“The government has no doubt that the UK will retain its status as a great place to do low carbon business. The energy Bill will attract £110 billion of investment to bring about a once in a generation transformation of the U.K.’s electricity mix, moving from a predominantly fossil fuel to a diverse low carbon generation mix.”

This is not what Green Businesses are saying. A letter published in the Times on the 11 March from six major energy companies says “Postponing the 2030 target decision until 2016 creates entirely avoidable political risk. This will slow growth in the low carbon sector, handicap the UK supply chain, reduce UK R&D and produce fewer new jobs…. We are aware of UK-based supply chain partners with investment plans on hold, or at risk, until greater confidence is achieved.”

Responding to Liberal Democrat MPs – Greenpeace

“I am pleased with the Energy Bill as it currently stands, as it will make the UK less reliant on fossil fuels and will encourage a massive investment in renewables and other forms of low-carbon energy.”

Whilst the Energy Bill does indeed represent an opportunity to cut our reliance on fossil fuels and drive investment in renewables, clean energy investors and businesses say the Bill needs improvement before that’s certain to happen. It needs a 2030 clean energy target.

Just this week, Ernst & Young warned: “The main source of disappointment for investors was confirmation that a decarbonisation target will not be set until 2016. This delay cast doubts over the UK’s commitment to cut carbon emissions 50% by 2027 and left investors with a sense of uncertainty.”

Worse, some of the biggest manufacturing companies in the world – including big wind energy companies like Siemens – also warned on the front page of The Times recently that they could cancel billions of pounds worth of new wind turbine factories and green jobs in the UK unless the Energy Bill includes a clear goal to decarbonise electricity by 2030. They wrote, “A binding 2030 target for power sector decarbonisation would help to reduce the political risk currently associated with long-term UK industrial investment.”

“As a Liberal Democrat, I have always understood the potential benefits of having a decarbonisation target within the Energy Bill itself, as I recognise that the transition to a low-carbon economy is one of the most significant challenges facing the UK in the coming decades. Nevertheless, when governing as part of a coalition, it is often the case that certain compromises have to be made.”

Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey, in a speech to his own party said, “The Liberal Democrats are not for turning….. investors crave certainty. Stability. The confidence that Governments will stick to their word… That’s why there’s a strong case for a carbon limit for Britain’s energy grid for 2030. Energy is always a long term investment. So if we are to create greater investor confidence in Britain’s low carbon energy future, a long-term target is best.”

Yet turning is precisely what he seems to be doing. Lib Dem members voted to make it Lib Dem party policy.

It is true Conservatives in government are opposed to the target. But MPs from across the party political divide – led by the Conservative Tim Yeo – are putting partisan point scoring aside and backing a package of amendments that would see a target set now. If Lib Dems choose to back Tim Yeo’s green jobs amendments now, they can make their own party policy into law. It’s time for Lib Dems to stick to their green promises.

“In order to guarantee that all of the other positive aspects of the Energy Bill could become law alongside the financial support for low carbon generation, it was necessary to forego the possibility of setting a decarbonisation target now. Significantly however, the Bill provides powers for a 2030 decarbonisation target to be set in 2016.”

The Bill currently says the government ‘may’ set a target in 2016. They don’t have to. Saying that a decarbonisation target may or may not be set some time after the next general election just isn’t good enough. Failing to prioritise decarbonisation with this Bill risks jeopardising green growth, and putting up both energy bills and carbon emissions. That’s because it could fire the starting gun on more imported and expensive gas, instead of more home grown renewables.

“The power to set a target for 2030 in 2016 means that the target can be decided alongside the 5th Carbon Budget, at a time when the Government will be considering how to set the UK on course to sustainably meet its 2050 target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Committee on Climate Change – who advise the government on what’s required to hit their legally binding carbon targets – have said there is no scenario in which we can stay within carbon budgets without decarbonisation of electricity by 2030, so this is simply a bad excuse. Additionally – as Ed Davey himself has acknowledged – companies considering their energy investments now need to know now what will be the direction of UK energy policy for years to come. They should not have to face years of more uncertainty.

“The Coalition Government remains wholeheartedly committed to being the greenest government ever.”

It is impossible for this to be the greenest government ever if it deliberately rejects both the advice of its own advisers on climate change and the warnings of the clean energy companies who want to create green jobs in this country.

It surely isn’t unreasonable to ask a Lib Dem to vote for a popular Lib Dem policy – one that has the backing of scores of businesses, churches, civil society groups and energy experts?

Great news – 38 Degrees have helped notch a win over Donald Trump! Today, the Scottish government announced that it has approved an 11-turbine windfarm off the coast of Aberdeenshire. And this success is partly down to us.

Trump’s campaign against the windfarm hit new lows – furious that it would spoil the view from his controversial Aberdeenshire golf course, he splashed two full-page adverts in Scottish newspapers calling for people to email Alex Salmond with their opposition.

But we turned his idea on its head. Over 8,000 38 Degrees members did write to Alex Salmond – but in support of renewable energy and Scotland’s green future.

And with today’s announcement, all the organisations and individuals who came together to support a green future for Scotland can go home happy.

But the campaign against Trump’s involvement in Aberdeenshire isn’t over yet – over 17,000 of us have already signed a petition started by a local resident calling for an inquiry into the handling of his golf complex. The bigger it gets, the more the Scottish government will feel the pressure. You can add your name here.

We’ve proved once that people power works against ‘big name’ interests – now let’s do it again.

Margaret Hunter, a geography teacher and 38 Degrees member from Oxfordshire, has started a petition on Campaigns by You calling on the government to keep climate change in the national curriculum. Read Margaret’s message below and sign her petition.

‘The government are considering scrapping climate change teaching in schools.

As a Geography teacher, I know full well how important it is that we teach children about climate change. I never thought I’d see the day our government would consider allowing three quarters of children to leave school with no proper education about climate change. But that’s what they’re proposing now.

It’s not too late to persuade the government to change their minds on this. These plans aren’t set in stone yet - they’re still open as part of public consultation. Plus the government have been struggling in the polls recently and have one eye fixed firmly on the next election. A huge public outcry now will leave them in no doubt that this decision could cost them crucial votes in 2015.

Under the government’s new plans, children will not be taught about the impacts of climate change unless they study GCSE Geography - a course that was only taken by 27% of GCSE students last year.

I have been a Geography teacher for more than 25 years. During that time I have taught my pupils dozens of different topics, from map reading and geology to volcanoes and earthquakes.But nothing I’ve ever taught my students has been so important as what I teach them about climate change now. We can’t afford to lose that – and neither can they.

The challenges man-made climate change poses to human beings are huge. In my classes, children learn about these challenges and why they are relevant to them. They learn why it is adults tell them to recycle, switch off their computers and close doors to keep the heat in.

And the truth is, children love learning about climate change. At the same time, they are learning to respect the world around them and to value human life. These are values that many of them will carry with them for the rest of their lives. They are the best possible weapons we can give them to help prevent disastrous climate change in the future.

Together, we can show Michael Gove that his plans are wrong – for our children, our planet, and our future. Sign the petition now.

Thank you for standing up for our children’s education.’

See which target MPs have signed up to the ‘green jobs’ amendment so far (and email them if they haven’t!):

We believe that there is a huge opportunity to get out of this recession by going green, strengthening the economy, creating new jobs and improving the quality of people’s lives.http://simonhughes.org.uk/en/page/energyandclimatechange
Simon Hughes

Green is working – the green economy supports almost a million jobs already and it is helping to stop dangerous climate change. But companies and their supply chains will only invest in Birmingham long-term if there’s a clear pathway for renewable energy in the future. That’s why I support a target in the Energy Bill to cut the carbon from our electricity by 2030 – and I urge other MPs to sign up.http://www.thebirminghampress.com/2013/03/07/mp-hemming-backs-clean-power-law-for-green-jobs/
John Hemming

Energy efficiency can mean lower bills which means more households in Bradford can afford to stay warm in the cold weather.http://davidward.org.uk/en/article/2013/657239/david-ward-mp-working-hard-to-make-sure-green-deal-helps-bradford-families-save-money-on-energy-bills
David Ward

I am proud to represent a city [Cambridge] which is leading the way on green technologies and I will do everything in my power to make sure this government sticks to its promises on green energy which is so vital to our future as a country and for the planet.http://julianhuppert.org.uk/huppert-presses-government-on-commitment-to-green-energy/
Julian Huppert

I agree with Sir David King, the Government’s Scientific Advisor, Climate Change is the number one global concern.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think–a-to-c-424376.html
Tom Brake

Green is working – insulating homes and developing renewable energy will create new business opportunities and jobs as well as tackling climate change. But renewable energy companies and their supply chains will only invest in Cheadle long-term if the Government sets out a clear pathway for low-carbon energy in the future. That’s why I support a target in the Energy Bill to cut the carbon from our electricity by 2030.http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2012/636402/cheadle-mp-calls-for-green-jobs
Mark Hunter

The climate science has got more convincing and more worrying, the evidence clearer and clearer and the warnings about the economic impact of climate change have got more and more dire. And yet still they think we can’t afford to go green.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/environmental-campaigners-call-for-legallybinding-carbon-target-8166419.html?origin=internalSearch
Martin Horwood

The Liberal Democrats are determined to make this the greenest government ever. As we rebuild our economy it is crucial that green jobs and industry are at the heart of our recovery.http://www.e2bpulse.com/Articles/324695/E2B/Pulse/News/News_Articles/2012/Lib_Dems_set.aspx
Duncan Hames

Substantial and cost-effective reductions in carbon emissions from buildings will be an essential part of the UK’s ambition to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.http://closethedoor.org.uk/news/archive/claire-perry-mp-for-devizes-gives-her-support/
Claire Perry

We need to work harder to ensure that we continue to tackle the challenges of global climate change head on – and this includes private investment in green energy and moving away from more carbon intensive forms of generation.http://aberdeennorthlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2010/231169/mike-crockart-mp-comments-on-climate-protests-outside-rbs-headquarters
Mike Crockart

Many local constituents have written to me concerned about the failure of the government to take climate change seriously. The Government has shilly-shallied around this issue for too long, paying lip service to climate change whilst failing to come through with real action. I am not prepared to sit back and wait for the Government to act whilst CO2 levels are rising, the arctic tundra melts and we see worsening droughts and hurricanes across the world.http://andrewstunell.org.uk/en/article/2005/031712/stunell-champions-fight-against-climate-change-with-bill
Andrew Stunell

No one likes to see their bills go up and I know that many residents in my constituency struggle to meet rising energy costs. Given that energy prices are unlikely to substantially go down in the near future, it is important to address other areas that can help reduce our future dependence on energy.http://www.mikeweatherleymp.com/2012/12/20/mike-backs-parliamentary-motion-on-energy-efficiency/
Mike Weatherley

Green is working – insulating homes and developing renewable energy will create new business opportunities and jobs as well as tackling climate change. But renewable energy companies and their supply chains will only invest in Mid Dorset and North Poole long-term if the Government sets out a clear pathway for low-carbon energy in the future. That’s why I support a target in the Energy Bill to cut the carbon from our electricity by 2030.http://middorsetlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2012/637899/annette-brooke-mp-calls-for-green-jobs
Annette Brooke

The Stern report warned that unless action was taken to reduce these carbon emissions, the global economy and the world’s environment would face some significant challenges. That is why I want the Government to make greater use of renewable and nuclear energy. I welcome the proposal that, by 2020, renewables should account for 15% of our energy supply.http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2012/11/over-the-next-decade-the-uk-faces-three-specific-challengessecuring-a-stable-energy-supplymaking-sure-we-play-our-part-in-c.html
Oliver Colvile

I hope that more people take an interest in Climate Change and its effects locally, nationally and internationally. Maybe then with a collective will, we can start to see a difference in the world that we live.http://ianswales.com/en/article/2010/006958/mp-gives-talk-on-climate-change-and-world-poverty
Ian Swales

The difficult decisions over emissions reductions, traffic growth, aviation, renewable power and a whole host of other environmental issues require sustained effort over decades. Long-term political will requires short-term targets to sustain it.http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/dec/19/speeches.liberaldemocrats
Charles Kennedy

By cutting our emissions we will be meeting what is surely a moral international obligation and show other countries the way forward, as well as bringing economic benefits that will acrue from being at the forefront of new green technologies. We must focus on energy conservation and pursue renewable energy options, relieving our dependency on fossil fuels. I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues have been pushing hard for low-carbon development to be a key strand of the Government’s policy. I believe we need funding for both renewable energy facilities in the Third World as well as much improved technology transfer.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think–a-to-c-424376.html
Lorely Burt

Another really important part of the Energy Bill is that it delivers on our commitment to Green Energy. The action being taken will allow the UK to meet our legally binding carbon reduction and renewable energy obligations.http://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/2012/11/27/blog-our-energy-bill/
Robert Buckland

Climate Change should be one of the most dominant issues in contemporary political debate since it poses the greatest environmental, social and economic threats to our generation and the next.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think–a-to-c-424376.html
David Amess

Climate change is the greatest threat we face as a society and a planet.http://www.libdems.org.uk/news_detail.aspx?title=Coalition_sets_out_ambitious_climate_change_policies&pPK=98557ab3-503e-4f5c-b8ce-ee1371b6cd2a
Andrew George

There is no doubt in my mind that climate change is one of the most important concerns of our age. As the Stern report makes clear, the evidence is now overwhelming; something must be done in order to preserve our way of life for future generations.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think–a-to-c-424376.html
Paul Burstow

I was delighted to hear that at long last we have secured a good deal in Government for the environment by making sure we will finally move from fossil fuel to low carbon.http://adriansanders.org/herald-061212
Adrian Sanders

The move to low-carbon energy production could be the catalyst that ignites the green economy and provides the growth that we all want to get the country moving.http://www.peteraldous.com/content/peter-aldous-welcomes-opportunities-energy-bill
Peter Aldous

I am an enthusiastic fan of renewable energy, for many reasons. It is vital that we diversify our energy sources and find cheaper, cleaner, greener ways of powering our economy. http://www.grahamevansmp.com/news/155-graham-evans-mp-in-parliament-graham-speaks-out-against-wind-farm-plans-at-frodsham-marshes-.html
Graham Evans

We must do all we can to increase our use of renewable energy but reduce demand and close the threatened energy gap.http://www.tessamunt.org.uk/tag/climate-change/
Tessa Munt

… for the sake of all of our tomorrows Liberal Democrats must ensure that this is the greenest government ever. Backing ambitious green projects to create a legacy to be proud of, a new deal, a green deal, healing our environment, creating legions of jobs, grabbing our chance to turn the tide of climate changehttp://www.libdems.org.uk/speeches_detail.aspx?title=Tim_Farron%E2%80%99s_speech_at_Liberal_Democrat_Autumn_Conference&pPK=1ba5d86e-ace3-4f19-9faa-18ae66b919ad
Tim Farron

This report clearly shows that the most sensible and realistic way forward is to invest in clean, green renewable energy. Not only will it reduce carbon emissions but it will also ensure that hard-pressed consumers get the best possible deal.http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-headlines/mike-weir-welcomes-energy-report-1-2724983
Michael Weir

I am trying to push the case again with ministers so they recognise the potential of the Humber in becoming the renewable energy capital for the whole of the UK.http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/MP-s-renewable-energy-campaign/story-11966522-detail/story.html#axzz2OBpf3Z2S
Andrew Percy

Renewable energy sources are crucial if Britain is to kick its addiction to fossil fuels. The government is using climate change as an excuse to promote wasteful and dangerous nuclear power but initiatives like this one [a wave farm off the coast of Cornwall] show how we can keep the lights on without the nuclear option.http://www.danrogerson.org/2007/04/25/mps-welcome-wave-of-regional-cash/
Dan Rogerson

Here is what I think:
1. We should all try and reduce our carbon footprints.
2. Government policy should encourage the creation and use of alternative energy sources and gradually disincentivise heavy carbon production
3. Continual efforts must be made to reach international consensus
We are stewards of this planet and must take better care of it. But all of this must happen at a rate and at a pace we can afford.http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2009/12/17/climate-change-sceptic-or-not-south-west-devon-mp-gary-streeter-has-an-environmental-three-point-plan/
Gary Streeter

Elsewhere in Westminster, there was a crucially important green development with the announcement of plans to cut the UK’s greenhouse emissions by 50% from 1990 levels. These plans are really ambitious, they should make Britain in 2027 a very different place – with warmer homes powered by green energy, far less reliance on fossil fuels, and many more cars powered by electricity.http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/gordon-birtwistle-mp-meeting-prince-charles-to-talk-about-weavers-triangle-plans-1-3408191
Gordon Birtwistle

I agree that we need to do more to tackle climate change and we need to use a wide range of levers to cut carbon emissions, decarbonise the economy and support the creation of new green jobs and technologies, particularly at a local level.http://www.seefoe.org.uk/2010/08/31/james-duddridge-mp-local-action-on-climate-change/
James Duddridge

With the UK able to boast of having the sixth largest share of the global green business market at £122 billion, I’m really glad the government are taking further steps to help the UK capture an even greater share of this market. And through energy efficiency schemes like the government’s ‘Green Deal’, people will have the chance to save money on their energy bills by reducing the need to spend so much to stay warm.http://www.juliansturdy.co.uk/news-and-articles/julian-praises-green-business-in-yorkshire-for-climate-week/
Julian Sturdy

In the UK we are consuming three times our fair share of the planet’s natural resources. Our reliance on high carbon fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas is overheating the atmosphere and affecting the climate. The future of our planet
relies on us moving away from unsustainable energy sources and on to renewable energy.http://markwilliams.org.uk/wordpress/?p=771
Mark Williams

Localism provides a compelling example of the green economy in action – tackling climate
change and delivering jobs. This is exemplified by the Humber LEP proposals, which focused on
renewable energy as the “biggest growth opportunity for generations”, in particular its potential to
create upwards of 20,000 jobs in the area. With this local ambition in mind, I look forward to making
the most of the opportunities that localism presents, working together with national government,
local authorities and the private sector to help realise this vision.http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/uploadedFiles/Media_room_2/Press_releases/180612%20Unlocking%20local%20leadership.pdf
Martin Vickers

… low-carbon living is not only good for environmental reasons, but is good for jobs and growth as well.http://www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk/news/archivestory.php/aid/4462/PTS_welcomes_Kent_MP_to_explore_renewables_branch.html
Tracey Crouch

The environment is the defining challenge of our era. It goes without saying – I hope – that without a healthy environment, we have no economy or future. http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2010/05/zac-goldsmith-uses-maiden-speech-to-declare-conservatives-as-the-party-of-the-environment.html
Zac Goldsmith

Every bit of energy produced helps reduce energy bills, which are bound to soar as a result of climate change. It would be great if the Colchester Community Stadium became the first in the country to have solar panels, wind turbines and grey water collection as major features – something of which the Council could rightly be proud. After all, actions speak louder than words.http://bobrussell.org.uk/en/article/2007/441499/go-green-with-new-stadium-says-town-s-mp
Bob Russell

Britain can make a difference in tackling Climate Change, firstly by meeting the targets that it has set itself on emissions, thereby setting a good example to other nations and so encouraging them to do likewise. The Government should also do all it can to promote renewables ­ both within Britain and beyond ­ and it can continue to invest in new technologies.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/climate-change-what-mps-think–a-to-c-424376.html
Malcolm Bruce

… the Coalition is committed to improving energy efficiency and helping families cope with the rising cost of living.http://bwmp.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/bill-wiggin-mp-speaks-out-on-energy-prices/
Bill Wiggin

This country is now facing one of the most extraordinary challenges as, over the next decade, we must build or rebuild our whole energy infrastructure.http://www.internationalsustainableenergy.com/1416/news/top-government-minister-says-east-anglia-will-be-at-the-heart-of-uk%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98clean%E2%80%99-energy-future/
Charles Hendry

I firmly believe the government is doing a lot of good things in the Energy Bill so I’m keen to support the progress made but also keep up the pressure to provide sustainable, clean but affordable energy for our nation’s citizens and businesses.http://kirkleescampaignagainstclimatechange.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/campaigners-disappointed-by-jason-mccartney-but-still-hope-he-will-support-rebellion-on-energy-bill/
Jason McCartney

“… the choice facing Britain is clear. We can embrace the technology of the future, set a target to reduce our present heavy dependence on fossil fuels and upgrade our electricity system. Or we can cling to the combustion-based technologies of the past, gamble the future on assumptions about the availability of abundant cheap gas and slow down the process of decarbonising our economy.”

Tim Yeo MP, former Conservative environment minister

The pressure on MPs to back carbon-free electricity is growing! Thousands of 38 Degrees members have emailed their MPs asking them to sign up to an amendment by Tim Yeo MP that would reintroduce tough decarbonisation targets. Already some key target MPs have said they’ll support it – now we need to build the pressure and make sure we can get enough MPs on side to win.

Tim Yeo’s ‘green jobs’ amendment would make sure the UK is back at the heart of the green energy revolution. If it passes, it would be a huge win for our household bills, our jobs, and our planet. George Osborne thought he’d buried the plan once, but there’s trouble on the horizon. Lots of MPs have said they’ll vote for the amendment to be included in the Energy Bill – but not enough.

If we’re going to win we need to get more MPs on side, and the MPs above are key targets. They’ve spoken publicly about the dangers of climate change. If we put enough pressure on them, we can turn their words into real action.

You can scroll over their faces to see their quotes. Four senior Lib Dems – Tim Farron, Julian Huppert, John Hemming and Martin Horwood – have already said they’ll be supporting the amendment. That’s great news – but now it’s up to us to ensure that every other MP says they’re on board too.

Email your MP now. If they’re on our bingo card above, you can use their quotes to persuade them – but even if they’re not, the amendment needs their support just as much if it’s in with a chance of getting passed. Forward any replies into the office team – and check back here regularly to see who’s signed up!

PS Has an MP on this list publicly supported the amendment? Get in touch so this page can be updated.