Anger as climate watchdog chairman Lord Deben says ministers 'should learn' from Just Stop Oil
Anger erupted last night after the chairman of a key climate watchdog said the Government 'should learn' from extremists. At the launch of the Committee's (CCC) annual report, Lord Deben said young people are drawn to the group as they think older generations are 'not facing up to the realities'. It came after the peer appeared in a video at saying protesters 'ought to make themselves a nuisance in every circumstance they can'. This sparked a backlash, with Tory MP Philip Davies accusing him of 'spouting tripe'. The CCC quango is effectively the UK's legal adviser on climate change. Tory MP Peter Bone said Lord Deben was wrong 'giving any support to Just Stop Oil'. Labour has been challenged to return 1.5million given to it by Dale Vince, a key figure in bankrolling JSO. Rishi Sunak claimed JSO has 'been writing Labour's energy policy' as the party supports no new oil and gas fields. The report questions the Government's ability to meet its pledge of reducing emissions by 68 per cent by 2030, and is particularly concerned about progress in industry, transport, buildings and fuel supply. UK greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 46 per cent from 1990 levels. Lord Deben said: 'I perfectly understand why people don't want this kind of protest and I myself am opposed to it, I think it's counterproductive but I think government should learn from it.' At Glastonbury, he said: 'These protests come from people who are desperate... they ought to make themselves a nuisance in every circumstance they can, because we have to act now.' Last night Shipley MP Mr Davies said: 'Lord Deben is right to one extent that lots of people are taking extreme measures because they are genuinely frightened about the future of the planet. But the reason they are so frightened is because of people like Lord Deben who basically spout a lot of tripe. 'Instead of scaremongering, people like Lord Deben should be more responsible and have a sensible debate about these things.' A Just Stop Oil spokesman said: 'Lord Deben is right to suggest that governments are not moving fast enough but he is being too polite. In fact our government is criminally disregarding its most fundamental duty of care to its citizens.