Climate Leadership Programme for Politicians

Political leadership in the new Parliament is essential if the UK is to achieve the ambitious targets established in the Climate Change Act. Following the May 2010 election there are many new MPs, and some of the most experienced and committed parliamentarians on climate change from all parties have now left the Commons.

To ensure that the next generation of politicians have the knowledge and skills that they need to lead this vital agenda, I am working with Green Alliance and Ashridge Business School to establish a Climate Leadership Programme, aiming to:

• Allow politicians to strengthen their understanding of the science, policy and politics of climate change;
• Help each party to develop a committed new cohort of MPs who will lead the way;
• Enable politicians to develop strong networks with thought leaders and influential institutions in the debate.

Prior to the election, we trained three sets of parliamentary candidates, from each of the major Parties. We are now providing advice and support for these new MPs, and extending the training to others.

This initiative is funded by the Tellus Mater Foundation.

Further information is available here, on the Green Alliance website.

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what they said

"absolutely excellent, very informative but gave the opportunity to ask questions. Certainly not the green re-education the media portrayed it as." Conservative PPC

"I'm doing a radio interview next week and I asked for climate change to be on the agenda. Previously I would not have been confident enough to have the debate" - Labour PPC

"Climate change does often come up - but not normally in a good way. Now I can counter sceptics with confidence" - Liberal Democrat PPC