Climate Change Bill [HL]

I support my noble friend’s amendment. It is extremely important. Often when you talk to people outside this House about what influence they can have, and what changes they can make, they say, ““We’re helpless, because there is so little we can do””. In following the example of the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, the churches instituted an eco-congregation award about five years ago. It has made an enormous difference, and people identify with it. It is a question of trying to have legislation which makes people feel, ““Yes, I can buy into that and make a difference””. The churches have done an inventory of where their money goes. One figure that came out of some congregations was that a 1 per cent reduction in the use of heating fuel equates to a 10 per cent reduction in the heating bill, which is remarkable. I follow my noble friend Lord Selborne in his comments, too. I hope the Government will take this on board. I have been reflecting, since Defra was invented, on the addition of rural affairs to what used to be the MAFF brief. The rural affairs side is quite difficult because it overlaps so many departments, and in doing so, it gets lost. That is why I am particularly attracted to the amendment. If people within that sector feel that they are being recognised for good work or for trying to reduce their responsibilities in that way, they will buy into this. I hope that, even if the Minister does not like the wording, he will take on board the comments made round the Committee tonight. It is a great encouragement to people outside the Chamber to realise that the Bill is not just for Parliament—it is for each and every one of us to make a difference.