Liz Truss named new Environment Secretary
Green policy news – by Thomas McMullan
15th July 2014
Liz Truss is to be the new Environment Secretary, as part of David Cameron’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Truss, Conservative MP for South West Norfolk, replaces Owen Paterson at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) who has been kicked out of the position – a move which is being welcomed by green groups.
Liz Truss has spent the past two years as an Education Minister. Not much is known about her stance on climate change, although in April this year she issued a statement showing concern over large scale solar farms but welcoming the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s support for rooftop solar panels on schools.
“I have been pressing the DECC department for action to be taken to ensure that agricultural land is not lost to acres of solar panels. […] There are so many more options for the sitting of solar panels, for example utilising existing industrial locations and commercial premises, not to mention residential roofs. Also encouraging the use of solar in schools is a very positive development. Not only will this significantly reduce the fuel bill but it can also generate an income stream for the school.”
Liz Truss has spent the past two years as an Education Minister. Not much is known about her stance on climate change, although in April this year she issued a statement showing concern over large scale solar farms but welcoming the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s support for rooftop solar panels on schools.
“I have been pressing the DECC department for action to be taken to ensure that agricultural land is not lost to acres of solar panels. […] There are so many more options for the sitting of solar panels, for example utilising existing industrial locations and commercial premises, not to mention residential roofs. Also encouraging the use of solar in schools is a very positive development. Not only will this significantly reduce the fuel bill but it can also generate an income stream for the school.”
The departure of climate-sceptic Paterson from Defra has been welcomed by green groups. He had come under fire in particular for slashing flood defences and voting against the ban of damaging pesticides.
The online petition organisation, 38 Degrees, recently appealed for Paterson to resign, stating that the environmental secretary had an “unacceptable” knowledge of ecological dependency and called him an “apologist” for multinational pesticide manufacturers.
“Mr Paterson has wilfully ignored scientific evidence on climate change, championed pesticide firms instead of bees and massively underinvested in flood defences, leaving thousands of households at risk of future flooding,” said Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director, Andy Atkins, in response to today’s reshuffle.
“His successor must show they are serious about safeguarding Britain’s environment and protecting the nation from the growing threat of global climate change,” said Atkins.
Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Executive Director for Policy and Engagement commented on the news of Truss’ appointment, emphasising the potential for Truss to build on her experiences in education: “There’s a real opportunity to build on her previous role as Education Minister by tackling the environment and sustainability skills gap in business, which will hamper the ability of companies to compete and make the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient and sustainable economy.”
Truss, 38, reportedly worked for Shell as a commercial manager for liquid natural gas shipping following her graduation from Oxford in 1996. It has also been noted by a campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Guy Shrubsole, that she has 4,497 homes at floodrisk in her constituency.
The sacking of Paterson and the appointment of Truss comes as part of a larger reshuffle that has seen William Hague resign as Foreign Secretary and Michael Gove replaced by Nicky Morgan as Education Secretary.
“Mr Paterson has wilfully ignored scientific evidence on climate change, championed pesticide firms instead of bees and massively underinvested in flood defences, leaving thousands of households at risk of future flooding,” said Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director, Andy Atkins, in response to today’s reshuffle.
“His successor must show they are serious about safeguarding Britain’s environment and protecting the nation from the growing threat of global climate change,” said Atkins.
Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Executive Director for Policy and Engagement commented on the news of Truss’ appointment, emphasising the potential for Truss to build on her experiences in education: “There’s a real opportunity to build on her previous role as Education Minister by tackling the environment and sustainability skills gap in business, which will hamper the ability of companies to compete and make the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient and sustainable economy.”
Truss, 38, reportedly worked for Shell as a commercial manager for liquid natural gas shipping following her graduation from Oxford in 1996. It has also been noted by a campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Guy Shrubsole, that she has 4,497 homes at floodrisk in her constituency.
The sacking of Paterson and the appointment of Truss comes as part of a larger reshuffle that has seen William Hague resign as Foreign Secretary and Michael Gove replaced by Nicky Morgan as Education Secretary.
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