STANDING UP FOR GUERNSEY'S ENVIRONMENT
CANDIDATES
Thank you to all the candidates who completed the survey.
The puffin ratings below are based on their answers to the multiple choice questions we posed to them across three key issues, with four green puffins indicating the best answer down to 1 green puffin indicating the least environmentally friendly option. We did not factor the candidates' free form text answers (visible by clicking 'Read More' to get to their candidate page) into the ratings.
Candidates who did not engage with the survey received zero green puffins.
The States questions also contain informative environmental responses for some candidates:
Which statement best aligns to your views on the climate crisis?
Our current approach to protecting the environment is reasonable, and strikes the right balance with the needs of the economy.
Please let us know more about your perspective on the climate crisis in your own words.
The recently approved States of Guernsey Climate Change Policy & Action Plan together with the States of Guernsey Energy Policy 2020 - 2050 seem eminently sensible first steps in our approach to climate change based upon current technology. The requirement for annual progress reporting should give the opportunity to review targets. Both of these Policy Letters appear to be very well researched and irrefutable.
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Which statement best aligns to your views on the challenges being faced by local biodiversity?
I believe urgent action is needed to save Guernsey's biodiversity, and the States should immediately invest more funding to protect it, introducing new legislation as appropriate.
Please let us know more about your views on the challenges faced by local biodiversity in your own words.
The actual amount of public funding should not be prohibitive. Improved legislation is more pressing to protect areas of importance (sea bird breeding areas for example) and new policies to prevent encroachment of domestic curtilage into open fields. The 'green lungs' of the urban areas of the island should also be protected. These are important as habitats and also for the well being of the human inhabitants of the built up areas
CLIMATE EQUITY
Transitioning to a greener economy could result in major, potentially unequal, social and economic impacts. Which statement best reflects your view of how these should be managed?
Climate action, economic and social justice are closely linked. I would strongly support equitable policies which don't put the financial burden of climate change on lower- and middle-income households.
Please let us know more about your perspective on climate equity and transitioning to a greener economy in your own words.
The paradox of course is that placing a significant first registration tax on very large fuel inefficient non-commercial vehicles is highly unlikely to dissuade the well off from purchasing them. If they WERE dissuaded a major income stream for environmentally beneficial policies would disappear. We are therefore to a certain extent trapped in a cycle of needing vehicles which are known to be bad for the environment (and of course other road users) to be imported so we can pay for policies which mitigate the environmental damage they create. The other problem being that these same vehicles are cascaded down the food chain when they are old and even more inefficient.
THE NEXT 4 YEARS
Where the environment is concerned, what outcomes do you think the States should achieve in the next four years, in your own words?
We should see a process set in chain where electricity is predominantly supplied by two European Electricity inter-connectors - GF1 (direct link to France) and GJ1 replacement (via Jersey). This would give resilience to our electricity supply and would be fundamental to a non hydro-carbon generation future. I would also personally like to see States grants or loans for the insulation of older properties and the installation of domestic solar panels.
