Bid to have net-zero targets reviewed rejected

A bid to "urgently review" and relax net-zero emissions targets and budgets has been thrown out by the Manx Parliament.

Stu Peters MHK had called for the Isle of Man to take a "more pragmatic approach" to climate change and for funds set aside to meet current goals to be redistributed.

About £36m has been transferred into the government's climate change fund since 2022 in a bid to meet its targets.

However, politicians chose to reaffirm the government's commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 following an amendment by Lawrie Hooper MHK.

At the December sitting of Tynwald, Peters argued the island was committing money "it can't afford" to the issue during a period of cuts and efficiencies, and suggested the funds should instead be spent on health, education and infrastructure.

He said despite binding legal agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, it was "not too late" to roll back on key commitment dates, as other jurisdictions such as Scotland had done.

The MHK said he was proposing "we revisit way we archive net-zero, not abandon it" and "apply a little traa dy liooar" or a more laid-back approach to the issue.

"We'll get there naturally and should do so at our own pace,"

However, Hooper said the case for climate action had "never been stronger".

He put forward an amendment stating that Tynwald "recognised the role net-zero targets play in strengthening the Manx economy for the benefit of all island residents".

That was backed by Michelle Haywood MHK, who said it would be "immoral" and tantamount to "selling out the futures of our children and grandchildren" to carry on without cutting emissions.

She said it had been "brave and bold" for the island to "set targets that couldn't easily be changed".

"The Isle of Man must be a responsible member of the world community and play it's part in reducing greenhouse gases," she added.

A call by Onchan MHK Julie Edge for a report on the review requested by Peters to be submitted to the court by April was also voted down.

A majority of 24 members backed Hooper's amendment to reaffirm the government's commitment to its net-zero targets, with five voting against it.

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