Sarah Champion MP urges the UK Government to act on illegal deforestation and support Rotherham’s green businesses

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, gave a speech on deforestation linked to UK supply chains. She urged for more support for Rotherham businesses who are leading the fight in a sustainable future.

Rotherham’s Templeborough Power Station, a biomass plant, sustainably converts waste wood into energy. The 260,000 tonnes of recycled sawdust and wood chippings are provided by local recycling business, Seras. The wood they use would otherwise end up in landfill.

In a Parliamentary debate on illegal deforestation, Sarah argued that while some UK biomass plants, like Drax, are exacerbating destruction, Rotherham is leading by example. She urged for more Government support for local businesses, especially as subsidies are due to end.

Sarah also called on the Government to publish due diligence regulations, to prevent large companies from using products made through illegal deforestation. She highlighted how this destruction is not only exacerbating climate change, but it is pushing precious wildlife such as orangutans, tigers, rhinoceros, hornbills, and elephants towards extinction.

Sarah Champion MP, commenting,

“Every hour that passes, an area of rainforest equivalent to 300 football pitches is cleared. This is destroying habitats and exacerbating climate change, driving species to the brink of extinction.”

“The Government must show that the United Kingdom remains determined to protect the world’s precious forests and wildlife”

“One of the ways to do that, is to support businesses who are leading the way in a sustainable future. Rotherham is a champion for sustainable biomass and deserves the Government’s support as we work towards green solutions.”

ENDS