The Isle of Man Green Party strongly opposes holding a referendum on abandoning the island’s net-zero policy.
Middle MHK Stu Peters will ask Tynwald next week to vote on whether to hold a referendum for the public to decide whether abandon or to continue the net-zero policy.
Isle of Man Green Party says “the net-zero target gives clear direction to government departments, public bodies, local authorities and businesses”.
It voices concerns that “without this clear direction, we lose the opportunity to take advantage of the transition to a cleaner, cheaper, more efficient energy, transport and heating systems”.
Net-Zero Referendum
The Green Party feels that without Net-Zero targets, infrastructure becomes more expensive to protect.
It says: “Flooding, coastal erosion and heavy rain already put pressure on Manx roads, drainage, sea defences and public buildings. The Isle of Man is not immune to the impacts of a warming world, where rainfall and storms will become more frequent and more intense.
“Without a clear policy driving long-term planning and upgrades, repairs become reactive and more expensive, stretching public finances further.”
Not ‘virtue signalling’
The party believes that the “island’s net zero policy is not a virtue signalling global gesture, it’s a local shield”.
It says “it’s about protecting Manx households from the impacts of climate change while securing our future with cleaner, cheaper energy”.
In its statement, the Green Party said: “Removing that policy would leave the island without direction at the very moment it matters most. It would drive up future costs, weaken our resilience and limit our ability to protect households, infrastructure and our natural environment from changes that are already unfolding.
“The Isle of Man Green Party believes the responsible and forward-looking choice is not just to maintain our net-zero policy but to strengthen it, ensuring stability and opportunity for the Island and our natural environment in the years ahead.”
The full statement can be read here.
