WHEN the Conservatives entered government in 2010 and pledged to be the ‘greenest Government ever’, many people were sceptical.

Nearly a decade on, and we are now seeing just how far the Conservatives are fulfilling this pledge. Whether it is banning microbeads, doubling litters fines, tougher sentences for animal abuse, recognising that animals are sentient beings in primary legislation, banning ivory sales, cutting down on single use plastics or harnessing the dynamism of the private sector through the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act, the Conservatives have proven beyond any doubt that the UK is a world leader in protecting the environment.

But this Government’s latest announcement is perhaps the boldest leap yet: announcing a target of ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The UK is the first major economy in the world to announce this target and it is now imperative that we negotiate with our international allies to get our less environmentally conscious neighbours, such as the EU, to do their part.

Indeed, the only negative mark on this Government’s green credentials is the planned 3rd Runway at Heathrow. These plans, which I have opposed tooth and nail since I was first elected in 2005, would mean 260,000 extra flights per year. Now that the Government has adopted a more ambitious target to cut 100% of net emissions by 2050 rather than 80%, the decision to expand Heathrow simply must be reconsidered. Under the 80% target, aviation was already predicted to contribute 12.5% of the UK’s emissions by 2030. With a more ambitious 100% target by 2050, the rest of the economy will have to work even harder to reduce its carbon footprint simply so that Heathrow can be allowed to continue to belch out greenhouse gas emissions at an even greater rate.

Nevertheless, in spite of this, it is simply impossible to argue against the fact that this Conservative Government truly is the greenest in British history.