My Lords, I will speak also to Amendment 53, tabled in my name. Amendment 7 would require a joint fisheries statement to outline how, in the opinion of the relevant authorities, their policies will advance the climate change objective. Amendment 53 inserts a new clause that would require the Secretary of State, when exercising functions under this Act, to have regard to the targets in the Climate Change Act and the obligations under international signed treaties, including the Paris Agreement. It also introduces an interim emissions target for 2030.
Obviously, we welcome the fact that the climate change objective was added to Clause 1, but it remains defensive and unambitious, with references to minimising the adverse effects and adapting to climate change. Instead, we want a set of objectives that takes up the challenge and starts to deliver to tight deadlines and meaningful targets in this sector.
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These amendments seek to put our climate change commitments at the heart of the Bill. There has been repeated criticism that the Government’s approach to climate change lacks a joined-up strategy, and even within Defra the recent report of the Natural Capital Committee was critical of the lack of a joined-up response across the three Bills currently under consideration. Meanwhile, we know that the UK is not on target to meet its fourth carbon budget and other targets are slipping. These amendments make it clear that all aspects of our future fisheries and marine policy have to play their part in meeting our climate change targets.
First, and obviously, we need a plan to minimise emissions. This applies to greening our ports and infrastructure and to the onward transport of the catch. It also applies to the fleet at sea, the energy used by trawlers and the potential application of low-carbon technology to the fisheries and aquaculture sector. We also need a plan to harness the huge potential of a well-managed marine environment to mitigate the impact of climate change. It could be a positive carbon sink, playing a key role in delivering net zero. For example, we know that marine ecosystems capture more than half of the world’s biologically sequestrated carbon. They are as important as forests in absorbing carbon dioxide.
Plankton and sea-grasses have a key role to play. In the UK, we are about to take control of significant areas of coastal water. We need specific measures and targets to maximise carbon capture by protecting our marine habitat and minimising greenhouse gas emissions—for example, through controlling ocean-bottom trawling, which releases carbon. Fisheries policy should be central to this mission. It needs to be based on harnessing and nurturing the potential of our natural marine environment.
When we debated this issue in Committee, the Minister referred to various reports which set out the expectations on the fishing sector to play its part in mitigating climate change. I do not doubt that there is a lot of good work going on around this issue, but more action needs to be taken, and the Bill is an opportunity to set out more clearly the obligations on the sector to play its part and act now. It provides the legal teeth to deliver that change. I hope noble Lords will see the sense in these amendments and that the Minister will feel able to give them government support. I beg to move.