Sir, – I wish to correct an error in the article regarding the proposed Climate Bill (Home News, February 11th). The article reads as follows: “The draft legislation is based on the final report on climate change strategy by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), which will also be published tomorrow”.
This is incorrect. The Government asked the secretariat of the NESC to conduct research and report to the Government on their findings. While the council of the NESC was consulted on this, the members did not sign off on the final report.
Along with the other three nominees of the Environmental Pillar who are members of the NESC Council I would like this clarification to be made.
Had this document been presented to the NESC Council for approval, we would have vetoed it. Given the absence of recommendations for targets and for the establishment of an independent expert evaluation and advisory body, the NESC secretariat report offers a charter for a steady slide away from our international commitments on climate, and an uncertain future for alternative energy, energy efficiency and the Green Economy model that would bring innovation and employment. – Yours, etc,