On the 13th of December, Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, was awarded the Environmental Champion of the Year by the Environment All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). 

Wera Hobhouse MP was celebrated as the Environmental Champion of the Year by the APPG for Environment for her momentous work this year. The APPG recognised the Bath MPs extensive work on environmental issues. This included her impressive action on the Energy Bill, to which she tabled an amendment (New Clause 12) to prohibit the flaring and venting of methane emissions.

Mrs Hobhouse was praised for her determination to push the Government to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). The ECT is a legally binding contract which allows foreign fossil fuel companies to sue countries who pass laws that restrict their activities. Wera Hobhouse called for the UK to join European counterparts, like the Netherlands, Germany and France, in withdrawing from the treaty that prevents climate action. 

The Bath MP was also celebrated for her impressive work on the Ecology Bill, of which she was a sponsor, to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. Mrs Hobhouse was joined by other parliamentarians at the awards ceremony, such as Selaine Saxby MP and Nature Minister Rebecca Pow MP. 

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy and Climate change, commented:

“It is a huge honour to be named as the Environmental Champion of the Year by the Environment APPG. The APPG has been instrumental in nudging the government towards more ambitious net zero targets.

“I am glad that I have been able to push the government towards greater climate action on a number of occasions this year. However, the pressing need to tackle climate change does not end with 2023. I will continue to use every opportunity to tackle climate change next year and beyond.”