Isle of Man Government commits £10 million for “immediate implementation” to tackle climate emergency

The Isle of Man Government has committed to spend an initial £10 million to reach its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Chief Minister, Howard Quayle, has laid out action plans for “immediate implementation” following an independent report.

The report will now be laid before Tynwald to be debated.

The plans involve a ban on fossil fuel heating appliances for new build properties by 2025, alongside a ban on all peat cutting to aid peat land restoration.

Other commitments include delivering 75% of the Island’s electricity from renewable sources by 2035.

This involves developing an all-Island charging network for electric vehicles by 2030.

Summary of 'Phase One' actions:

• Spending £10 million in the first year of the action plan.

• Delivering 75% of the Island’s electricity from renewable sources by 2035.

• A ban on fossil fuel heating appliances in new build properties by 2025.

• Restoring a minimum of 1000 acres of peat land restoration.

• Planting 85,000 trees at Meary Veg.

• Ban on all peat cutting.

• Creating an all-Island charging network for electric vehicles by 2030.

• Establishing a local carbon offsetting scheme.

• Developing a strategy to encourage green technology.

The first phase comes after an independent report was produced by Professor James Curran.

Professor Curran was tasked with producing a report for the Council of Ministers after the Chief Minister declared a climate change emergency in June 2019.

The report suggests that £50 million per year will need to be spent to achieve the 2050 goal, half of which would be taken from pubic money and the other from private sector investment.

Professor Curran also claims that there is "enormous potential" for wind power on the Isle of Man.

The full action plan will be laid before Tynwald to be debated on 21st January.