Public opinion has changed on climate emergency says MHK

"The difference now is people want it to work"

The MHK, whose 'climate emergency' amendment was unanimously approved in Tynwald this week, says the debate shows public opinion has shifted on the issue.

Ralph Peake has pushed for changes to climate change policy before.

His successful amendment means Tynwald has now made an official declaration of the climate emergency, and backed the establishment of an independently-led, dedicated transformation team to steer environmental policy.

It's hoped a new climate change bill will be brought to the court in the next legislative year.

Meanwhile, Beach Buddies has voiced its support for Tynwald's vote to declare a climate change emergency, and to come forward with proposals to meet the earliest possible dates to reach targets on carbon emissions.

In a statement, the charity's founder, Bill Dale, said: "we would have preferred to see a fixed date to meet these targets, as the past record of the Isle of Man Government on achieving targets is not good, and pretty much always falls way short."

He went on to say "this is without the slightest doubt, the most important issue facing the world today," and implored the Manx government to "do something special, and not just follow other governments and politicians and make weak and watered-down resolutions."