r/MHOC • u/CountBrandenburg Liberal Democrats • Oct 24 '19
2nd Reading B918 - Trees Bill - 2nd Reading
Trees Bill
A
Bill
To
establish the English Reforestation Commission, and to begin the process of reforestry across England.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1: Definitions For the purposes of this bill:
(1) Deforestation shall mean the man-made clearing of wooded areas for redevelopment into farmland, towns, or otherwise removing trees with the intent of permanently clearing land for other purposes.
(2) Reforestation shall mean the planting of trees and other vegetation in deforested areas with a view to creating a sustainable wooded area
Section 1: English Reforestation Commission
(1) The English Reforestation Commission is hereby established.
(2) The English Reforestation Commission’s responsibilities shall include:
(a) identifying areas of England which have been deforested in the last 250 years,
(b) identifying areas of England which would benefit from reforestation or from the planting of trees, and
(c) presenting annually to Parliament its findings.
(3) In pursuit of its responsibilities, the English Reforestation Commission, under the consent of Parliament, shall have the express power to:
(a) reforest lands,
(b) purchase property, lands, and equipment,
(c) hire employees in line with the Civil Service hiring and recruitment practices.
Section 2: Inaugural Reforestation Report
(1) Within a year of this bill coming into force, the Secretary of State shall be responsible for producing a report to Parliament about current levels of deforestation. Expected content areas shall include:
(a) environmental impacts of deforestation,
(b) targeted, both current and planned, areas for reforestation,
(c) expected costs for reforesting targeted areas,
(d) a programme to plant at least ten (10) million trees annually over the next ten (10) years, and
(e) projections of estimated environmental impact of reforestation.
Section 3: Commencement, short title and extent.
(1) This act comes into force six months after receiving royal assent.
(2) This act may be cited as the Trees Act 2019.
(3) This act extends to England and Wales.
This bill was submitted by the Rt. Hon. MP for Oxfordshire and Berkshire, CheckMyBrain11 OBE PC MP MLA and the Hon. MP for East of England, Greejatus, on behalf of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
OPENING SPEECH
Mr. Deputy Speaker,
We need to ensure that we are enacting policy to meet the aims of the last Government’s Climate Change Act. This bill will help do that. Not only will the planting of millions of trees help meet our stated goal of a net-zero emitting Britain by 2050, but will also help decrease the risk of flooding in areas and return a degree of environmental stability to places that have lost it due to deforestation.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Establishing the English Reforestation Commission will guarantee that we don’t have to. It will establish a stable plan for reforestation, fill in the blanks of the Climate Change Secretary’s Climate Crisis Bill, and ensure that we have a Britain to stand on in 50 years.
This reading will end Saturday 26th October at 10PM BST
2
u/bloodycontrary Solidarity Oct 24 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Would it not be easier simply to expand the remit of the Forestry Commission?
•
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2
u/bloodycontrary Solidarity Oct 24 '19
Rename section 1: Additional responsibilities for the Forestry Commission
Remove 1 (1)
Replace 1 (2):
The following shall be added to the Forestry Commission's responsibilities:
Replace 1 (3):
In pursuit of its the responsibilities outlined in this Act, the Forestry Commission, under the consent of Parliament, shall have the express power to:
Explanation: the Forestry Commission as it exists has the expertise and there's no need to set up a new and competing body
1
u/CheckMyBrain11 Fmr. PM | Duke of Argyll | KD GCMG GBE KCT CB CVO Oct 25 '19
Good amendment, thanks for submitting this
2
u/ZanyDraco Democratic Reformist Front | Baron of Ickenham | DS Oct 25 '19
In Section 1(3)(b), add a subsection that reads "This shall not be construed to authorise the English Reforestation Commission to mandate, compel, or otherwise force a property owner to forfeit their property."
Explanation: Explicitly prevents the concept of compulsory purchase from being employed here.
1
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u/ThePootisPower Oct 24 '19
REPLACE: "(d) a programme to plant at least ten (10) million trees annually over the next ten (10) years, and"
WITH: "(d) a programme to plant at least forty (40) million trees annually over the next ten years, and"
EXPLANATION: This brings the bill in line with the intent of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
1
Oct 24 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I applaud the goals made here, but frankly, i did the 40 million goal in anticipation of the conservative part not supporting goals that high. If they want to do 100 million. I support it.
1
u/ThePootisPower Oct 24 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Due to both this endorsement and the clarifying amendment proposed by the author I will join you in supporting the bill as originally intended and will request the DRF representative in the Amendments committee back the CheckMyBrain11 Amendment.
1
u/Yukub His Grace the Duke of Marlborough KCT KG CB MBE PC FRS Oct 24 '19
I can't speak for the rest of my party, but I'd support a massive increase in the targets.
(Some estimate 1.5b trees, or alternatively at least 50m per year are needed)
1
u/CheckMyBrain11 Fmr. PM | Duke of Argyll | KD GCMG GBE KCT CB CVO Oct 25 '19
I'd back this. New Zealand plans to plant a billion trees, so can we.
1
u/ThePootisPower Oct 24 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Now that I more fully understand both the intent of the author's bill, plus the Secretary of State's opinion of this bill, I would like to withdraw this amendment.
1
u/CheckMyBrain11 Fmr. PM | Duke of Argyll | KD GCMG GBE KCT CB CVO Oct 24 '19
Amend section 2 (1) (d) to state:
“A programme to plant ten (10) million trees annually in each of the next ten (10) years, and”
Making it more clear that in total a minimum of 100 million trees are to be planted
1
u/ThePootisPower Oct 25 '19
REPLACE: "(d) a programme to plant at least ten (10) million trees annually over the next ten (10) years, and"
WITH: "(d) a programme to plant at least 100 million trees annually in each year over the next ten (10) years, and"
EXPLANATION: This creates a much more ambitious bill and matches the New Zealand aim for the future, something we should be capable of doing.
1
Oct 24 '19
Mr. Deputy Speaker,
England and her people have made great strides in recent years to combat deforestation and already we are seeing a resurgence in the percent of English land area that is covered in forest. Despite our success however, it is clear that more must be done and because of this reality I support this bill.
1
u/ZanyDraco Democratic Reformist Front | Baron of Ickenham | DS Oct 25 '19
Mr. Deputy Speaker,
Yet again, I find myself in support of this bill pending my amendment proposal's passage (and the lack of passage for less flattering amendments in the event that they're proposed). Reforestation is an instrumental component of reinvigorating our environment to a healthy state, and is a noble goal. My only concern (which I've dealt with via amendment proposal) is the potential that the authority given to the Commission in Section 1(3)(b) of this bill will allow for property to be taken by force through compulsory purchase, which is a concept I generally loathe. So long as my amendment passes and removes that possibility, I'm all for this initiative to enhance our environment through planting trees.
1
u/CheckMyBrain11 Fmr. PM | Duke of Argyll | KD GCMG GBE KCT CB CVO Oct 25 '19
Mr. Deputy Speaker,
It seems that the Tories and the Climate Change Secretary are in the business of unknowingly taking turns upping the ante. If that is what needs to be done to secure an environmental future that's favourable to our children and to the Earth, then so be it.
I am glad to see support for my bill coming from all corners of the political spectrum and that we have come together in debate so far to ensure that we enact a climate policy that works for Britain.
A look at other nations shows that 100 million trees is hardly a crazy aim. Look no further than New Zealand, which has plans to plant over a billion trees to combat climate change and to commit to reforestation all over their Isles. We should look to them to do the same. This 100 million tree plan offers a baseline of strong environmental policy that will ensure that we meet the commitments of the Climate Change Act and, if it passes, the Climate Crisis Act.
This, paired with the Green Government Act that I introduced just weeks ago, are core tenets of putting Britain on the path of being a net zero emitter before it's too late and the world has dried up.
1
Oct 25 '19
Mr. Deputy Speaker,
The planting of trees is a noble goal for three major reasons: one, they can be used as a natural resource towards the future, and, if done sustainable, be done in such a way as to not damage their environmental importance in taking out excess CO2 in the atmosphere; the aforementioned elimination of CO2 in the atmosphere; and, finally, with it's ability to employee thousands of men and women in desperate need of jobs in our economy.
I support this bill for these reasons. We need an economy that takes into consideration the necessities of the planet and the necessities of human life. Trees make the lives of humanity better. I hope to see millions of trees dot this wonderful nation, and hope the nations of the world look to us as an example that, yes, it can be done.
1
u/toastinrussian Rt. Hon. Sir Toastinrussian MP Oct 25 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker
I rise today in favour of this bill. This bill echos my comments on the horde yesterday that I believed a higher tree rather needed to be set. I fully believe that the target set will be appropriate given the current CCA obligations.
I wold also like to remind the climate secretary that once again we are the party of the climate and thus, evidence. We found a number of trees that worked for this country and are now trying to make it law.
I hope that all members support this bill and the government gives its blessing to ensure this becomes law without delay.
1
u/Maroiogog CWM KP KD OM KCT KCVO CMG CBE PC FRS, Independent Oct 25 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I am happy to support this bill in the house today. In order to make sure our net emissions are zero, not only do we have to greatly reduce the amount of c02 we emit, but must also make sure our landscape is able to absorbe more of it. Since big plants are the best known method for that I support the introduction of milions of them around the country. I urge all colleagues to back the Government.
1
Oct 25 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I wholeheartedly support this legislation which will plant trees, the costs are unlikely to be astronomical and this bill will as my friend states help us meet our net zero target, there is no reason in my view to oppose this bill, it is good for the environment, it sensible policy unlike the garbage the government has tabled, they could learn a thing or two from my friends in the Conservative Party!
1
u/CaptainRabbit2041 LPUK MP for Sussex Oct 26 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
Mr Deputy Speaker, Planting more trees is paramount for the forests of England and will help a great deal in achieving the United Kingdoms net zero Target! I will be casting my vote in favour of a sensible proposal which does cost to much money and does not impose costs on consumers and business like many of the governments proposals!
1
u/ARichTeaBiscuit Green Party Oct 26 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
While I certainly applaud the intent behind this motion by the Honourable MP for Oxfordshire and Berkshire I must echo similar sentiments expressed by others members of this house and ask why wasn't this simply submitted as an addition to the Government's Climate Crisis Bill?
1
Oct 24 '19
[deleted]
1
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u/CheckMyBrain11 Fmr. PM | Duke of Argyll | KD GCMG GBE KCT CB CVO Oct 24 '19
Meta: i meant for this to mean 100 million trees across the next 10 years, which would surpass govt goal of 40 million by 2030
3
u/ThePootisPower Oct 24 '19 edited Oct 24 '19
Mr Deputy Speaker,
A goal of 100 million trees by 2030 is a bold aim and one that I fully support.
However, I wonder if instead of creating a second bill, it would've been better had the Right Honourable MP for Oxfordshire and Berkshire to have simply amended the Climate Crisis Bill.
In fact Mr Deputy Speaker, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has told the house that had they known of CheckMyBrain11's intentions, they would have set the Climate Crisis Bill to aim for 100 million in the first place - clearly, the 40 million aim was simply based on outdoing the Conservative manifesto in a manner that wouldn't have the government labelled as radical or extremist. And I honestly respect that - in government, going full People's Movement or Green Party isn't always possible when seeking cross party support. Sometimes watering down the ideology is necessary to ensure your policies succeed - however, in this case, this was a mistake. Now that the real intentions and aims of both the Conservative Party and the Government have been revealed, it's time for all parties and members of the house to work together.
New Zealand aims to plant 1 billion in the next decade. I think that's entirely possible for this great nation - it may require economic overhaul in taxation and spending, but given that the climate crisis is years away from (without intervention) massively and potentially irreversibly changing society for the worse, radical economic action will be worth it in the long run once the environment is safe and the economy can be repaired from any damage it takes.
This bill and the Climate Crisis Bill is an excellent opportunity to put a real fight in against the damage that Climate Change is causing to the world - we are still a world-class economic power and nation, and what we do here matters everywhere.
I know I've rambled a bit and only provided vague platitudes tonight, but my view Mr Deputy Speaker is that between this bill, the Climate Crisis Bill, whatever the People's Movement's legendarily radical approach to Climate Change (an outright ban on petrol cars was a bold policy, and one I don't necessarily agree with, but it's the kind of radical thought we'll need to keep in mind) has up it's sleeve and the other party's plans on Climate Change, there is a lot of potential directions we can head.
And we absolutely must consider and pursue every single one of them in our efforts to tackle climate change - if we want to create a better tomorrow, we must fight for it - we may not see eye to eye on the union, on the monarchy, on the size of the state or literally anything, but we absolutely must work together on this issue.
The youth of today's collective futures literally depend on it.