An alliance of groups that campaign on environmental issues wants a new climate change law to be strengthened.

The Climate Change Bill approaches a significant step when its third reading goes through the House of Keys soon.

It passed its clauses stage in the Keys this week when MHKs rejected a call to bring forward the zero carbon target date from 2050 to 2035.

An Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition spokesman said: ’We believe the Bill in its current form does not go far enough in guaranteeing urgent action and must be strengthened.’

A Climate Change Act has been one of the main objectives of the Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition, which is made up of more 30 groups and wants to see the island move to a low carbon society.

Coalition steering group member Joney Faragher of the Manx Labour Party said: ’We welcomed the Chief Minister’s announcement of a Climate Change Bill in May 2019, stating that our government recognises the climate emergency facing the planet.

’The coronavirus pandemic has been mentally and financially challenging for many residents, and climate change may not right now be at the forefront of many people’s minds.

’However, it is important that the Bill is progressed, and we commend the continuing work of government to achieve this, as the climate emergency is not going away.

’Government showed what can be done in responding quickly and radically to the Covid- 19 emergency, if there is the will.’

Alongside the announcement of the Climate Change Bill, in July 2019 Professor James Curran was appointed by the hovernment as independent chair of the Climate Emergency Consultative Team.

In November 2019 he submitted an independent report on options for targets and actions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 to the Council of Ministers.

This contained a detailed range of actions to reach net zero carbon emissions, and was part of the basis for the Government Action Plan Phase One, which was supported unanimously by Tynwald in January 2020.

The government has committed to those action points being tied into the statutory framework of an Act of Tynwald.

Coalition steering group member Pete Christian of IoM Friends of the Earth said: ’We recognise that this Bill is partly enabling legislation, in that it lays out various necessary powers that parts of government will need to have available in the future.

’But leaving it all to some things which may be done at some unspecified point in the future is insufficient. The emergency is already apparent around the world. We believe the Bill in its current form is too weak.

’There is an urgent need to include, alongside these powers, a range of statutory duties, and timely carbon emissions reduction targets so that the final Act will have real teeth.

’We hope that MHKs and subsequently MLCs will put forward, and join forces around, vital amendments.

’Our carbon emissions per head of population remain embarrassingly high, and must be reduced.’

The Isle of Man has been accredited as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which carries with it responsibilities to fight climate change and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Coalition steering group member Phil Matthews of the One World Centre and Amnesty International, said: ’The Climate Change Bill commits us to our actions being tied to "just transition" and "climate change justice" principles.

’We strongly endorse this commitment, and want to see the island established as a recognised standard bearer for these important underpinnings of everything we stand for.

’As well as being the right ethical way to build our future, it can only benefit our reputation internationally.

’The other good news for everyone in the island is that a zero carbon future has immense benefits and opportunities, not least cheap renewable energy and green jobs.

’As Howard Quayle said in July last year, "Let’s build on the community cooperation we’ve demonstrated in our response to Covid-19, and create a new, greener society which cares for everyone and has a healthy environment at its centre".

The Climate Change Coalition is made up of 30 groups, including Beach Buddies, Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx National Farmers Union, Manx Labour Party, Manx Birdlife, Green Party, Amnesty Isle of Man, One World Centre, IOM Freethinkers, Rushen Commissioners and Isle of Man Friends of the Earth.