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?
We should reach net zero carbon emissions as early as possible (and no later than 2040), and take this opportunity to transform Guernsey into a climate leader and innovator.
Please let us know more about your perspective on the climate crisis in your own words.
The climate crisis is a threat but it is also an opportunity. Guernsey can, like we do in so many areas, punch well above our weight. By far the most achievable way for Guernsey to play its part and achieve net zero carbon emissions (or even better and start to payback our carbon debt from yesteryear!) is through renewable energy. The opportunities for tidal and wind energy are obvious and, instead of being an importer of electric from Europe, we could be an exporter to Europe. But, to achieve this, we need to stop talking and start doing. If you forgive the play on words, renewable energy has the power to be an economic generator. Now, there needs to be a real political will to make it happen.
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.
When I was a Deputy on Culture and Leisure, the museum director explained how heritage was different to other political responsibilities because you couldn't correct your mistakes - when it's gone, it's gone. It was a very powerful statement and the same philosophy applies to biodiversity - when it's gone, it's gone. And loss of our biodiversity not only impacts our environment, it also impacts our economy. My manifesto focuses on tourism. I want to turbocharge tourism and be a tourism 'champion' in the States. My manifesto says that, as a destination, "we need to emphasise our green credentials and build on them". The island's biodiversity is central to everything.
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?
We can do more than just avoid unfairness - we can and should use climate action as an opportunity to build a better, fairer society, for example, through green job creation and progressive funding solutions.
Please let us know more about your perspective on climate equity and transitioning to a greener economy in your own words.
I haven't fully got my head around 'climate equity' yet but three of its key concepts do firmly align to my views. 1. Progressive funding solutions and 2. Green jobs and a green economy - green(er) solutions don't have to cost money, they can (if you forgive the crude phrase) make money. The island's leaders have a role to play in shifting mindset so that there is both public and private sector support for the right initiatives. And 3. Maintaining a global outlook - we can, as mentioned earlier, export renewable energy instead of importing it AND, I think that 'climate equity' does add a new dimension to Overseas Aid where, I've long argued, more of a feel-good factor needs to be made from our contributions and it is more than a box-ticking exercise.
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?
The single biggest game-changer in the next term of the States could be meaningful strides towards large-scale renewable energy (tidal and wind). I repeat: we need to stop talking and start doing AND there needs to be a real political will to make it happen.
