The government is appealing to the public to have their say on how the island can do its bit to tackle climate change.

It is inviting comments on a ’portal’ on a website.

It launch followed two climate change workshops held by the government in which delegates from industry and the wider community took part.

The focus was to provide an update on the progress in developing a climate change action plan, to provide a chance for delegates to speak with members of the government’s climate emergency consultative transformation team and to provide delegates with an opportunity to suggest what actions the island could take to reduce emissions.

During the workshops the audience heard from Archibald Elliott of the Isle of Man Student Climate Network and Professor James Curran, independent chair of the climate emergency consultative transformation team following which attendees were invited to speak with members of the team and share their thoughts on subjects under various headings, such as; transport, waste, energy, agriculture, residential and land use.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK said: ’It is encouraging to see so many people engaging on the subject of climate change. There was a great response during the workshops and we are already seeing initial feedback on the online portal.

’The Isle of Man must play its part as a responsible global partner as we consider innovative approaches to supporting people to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient.

’The island’s approach will be ambitious and seek to be a demonstration of good practice.’

Earlier this summer Mr Quayle made a commitment for the Isle of Man to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and for a Climate Change Bill to be laid before Tynwald in this legislative year.

In May 2019 the Chief Minister announced that a Climate Change Bill, will be introduced into the branches of Tynwald in this legislative year.

The Climate Change Bill will commit the government and future administrations to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in line with the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.

In June 2019 Tynwald unanimously voted for the establishment of a dedicated climate emergency consultative transformation team led by an independent chair and a climate change action plan to be laid before Tynwald by January 2020.

The portal can be found at:

https://iomgov.dialogue-app.com/climate-change-emergency-action-plan

Hard copies will also soon be made available at the Welcome Centre in Douglas’s Sea Terminal and a number of libraries.