Derek McDowell (Labour)

It is reasonable to take out, for example, the agricultural sector and consider the transport and energy sectors. Demand for energy and the use of transport and transport fuels has increased more or less in line with growth in gross domestic product. In fact, it has increased at a higher rate, which is not surprising. We should acknowledge this. If we do, certain consequences flow from this which are not necessarily the sort of consequences that would make one popular publicly.

This brings me to my final point about why nothing has happened in recent years. This is because some of the measures that would be necessary in demand management are very unpopular. We need only look to the United Kingdom where a few weeks ago David Cameron produced a policy that was intended to discourage people from using air transport. He came up with the notion that if one was a frequent flyer, one would have to pay more and there would a surcharge on those who, by virtue of air transport, were high carbon users. The reaction was very instructive. It was all very well for David Cameron to be Mr. Green Boy in an airy-fairy sort of way, but once he began talking about hard and fast policies which could impact on people's lifestyles, the reaction was a good deal less positive. We have all become hooked on, for example, relatively cheap air travel. It will require quite a change in the public's perception of these issues before they are willing to accept the sort of lifestyle changes that are almost certainly necessary if we are seriously to tackle climate change. This applies equally to the use of cars.

To take a UK example again, Gordon Brown in the early part of this decade incrementally increased the tax on petrol so at present there is a substantial price differential between North and South on this island. It is remarkable that it was probably the low point of the popularity of the Labour Government since it came into power in 1997 and led to a virtual blockade of the UK by truck drivers.

I make that point because I believe we need a genuine public debate. It is useless for politicians of all parties, including Government parties, to genuflect at the altar of climate change and say this is all terribly important and that we must do something about it. People must understand it requires significant lifestyle changes and important choices to be made. It requires a frankness from Government and politicians which we have not had and which we need if this issue is to be advanced. Looking back, we have had seven years of abject failure. We cannot afford to have that replicated in the immediate term. Speaking for my party, we are happy to co-operate with other parties, as all parties must, in looking to deal with an issue which is of such huge importance to the nation.