Chief Minister Howard Quayle says his administration is committed to act on the climate change emergency facing the planet.

And he announced that the government will be bringing forward a Climate Change Bill to be presented to Tynwald in the next legislative year.

An action plan includes the banning of peat cutting within months, a ban on all fossil fuel boilers in new-build housing by 2025 and a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2040.

Mr Quayle was speaking at an Active Travel event at Noa Bakehouse where plans were announced to encourage more people to walk and cycle to work and school by investing in priority routes.

He said: ’This government recognises the climate change emergency that is facing the planet, and we are committed to acting on this.

’We are not about words, we are about the actions that we take and we will work with Tynwald members, the public and interested groups to put in place a comprehensive action plan to reach this achievable target.

’This won’t be easy and it will take all of us to play a part to save the planet for future generations.’

Mr Quayle said a Climate Change Bill will commit the government and future administrations to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in line with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.

He said the government had taken on board the comments and concerns of residents during the climate change mitigation consultation.

Alongside the Bill will be an action plan outlining key objectives to help achieve the 2050 target.

Imminent actions include new building regulations covering energy efficiency rating for homes , the re-launch of the energy efficiency grant scheme and the banning of peat cutting within months.

All fossil fuel boilers in new build housing will be banned by 2025, and new fossil fuel cars will also be banned by 2040.

Cycle racks and showers will be installed at all suitable public buildings, and there will be incentives for tree planting under the imminent revisions of the agricultural support scheme.