The island’s climate change coalition has welcomed the UK’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

But it says the island should go further and is calling for an island target of 2035.

A spokesman for the coalition said: ’The world is facing a climate emergency and the only way we will solve it is by countries making serious commitments and this includes going net zero.

’Until we go net zero we’ll be trying to tackle a house fire by dousing it with petrol.’

The Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition is a group of 20-plus organisations in the island that are calling for serious action from the government to do its part in protecting our environment.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle last month declared a climate change emergency and committed the Manx government to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A combined vote on a CoMin amendment to Garff MHK Daphne Caine’s motion on a climate change emergency will take place in Tynwald this week.

It will also vote on an amendment by Lawrie Hooper (LibVan, Ramsey) for a 2035 target. The UK last week became the first G7 nation to propose a 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target be enshrined in law.

Prime Minister Theresa May said there was a ’moral duty to leave this world in a better condition than what we inherited’.

The island’s climate change coalition is urging people to contact their MHK to let them know their views before this week’s vote in Tynwald.

Its spokesman said: ’Climate change will not wait while we and our elected representatives interminably consider our options.

’We need drastic rethinking of our trajectory. Delay and vague intention are not an option.’

Letters, page 18