Local MP, Huw Merriman, was in Ticehurst this evening to talk about transport decarbonisation and the future of energy with members of the local community.

The event was arranged by St Mary’s Eco Church Group to mark Great Big Green Week. Great Big Green Week first took place in September 2021 and is a national celebration of community action to tackle climate change. This was the third year Huw has spoken on green transport and energy in Ticehurst. 

The Government has set a target to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 and transport decarbonisation is critical to meeting our obligations, with transport currently accounting for the largest source of CO2 emissions in the UK. Larger reductions in other sectors, most notably energy and business, means that despite a slight decrease in real terms, the share of UK emissions from transport rose from 18% in 1990, to 24% in 2020.

After giving an overview of Government progress on transport towards the Net Zero target and reporting back on the work Huw is undertaking as Minister of State for Rail and HS2, a stimulating wider-ranging discussion took place covering issues such as solar panels, home insulation, gas and oil licences, industrial strategy, food security.