The India Smart Utility Week has been running since 2015 and is now one of the top events on Smart Grids and Smart Cities. Barry gave a Special Address on the inaugural day alongside distinguished panellists from Government, International Energy Organisations such as ISA and IRENA and business. Barry focused his address on the ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ Initiative launched at the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance by Prime Minister Modi. Barry highlighted the growth in India’s Renewable Energy sector and how the Initiative will create jobs and attract investment to create a globally interconnected electricity grid.
Barry to join Cladding meeting for Brent Leaseholders- Register to Attend
Cladding meeting for Camden and Brent leaseholders
Tuesday 16th March 6-7pm
Join MPs Tulip Siddiq, Dawn Butler and Barry Gardiner, Brent and Camden councillors and End Our Cladding Scandal campaigners in an online webinar discussing current status on key issues for leaseholders affected by the cladding and building safety crisis, the latest government’s funding announcement, planned campaign actions and how you can help.
Follow this link to join- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86004750570?pwd=RnF3LzQ4TlQ0OHlRR0haY0NoTEl2dz09
Meeting ID: 860 0475 0570
Passcode: 864350
Barry sums up in the latest Democracy Forum webinar
As Chair of The Democracy Forum, Barry had the pleasure in giving closing remarks for this seminar and summing up the discussion.
The latest webinar was entitled: ‘US-India Alliance: Preserving Democratic Norms in South Asia and Beyond’
You can watch Barry’s closing remarks below, as he identified the issues that are putting strains on democracy in both the US and India.
Barry joins RSPB Nature campaign for legally binding targets
The RSPB have launched a campaign calling on Parliamentarians to support legally binding targets to reverse the decline in biodiversity experienced across the country since the 1970s. During this time, 41% of UK species have declined in number and the rate of species decline is accelerating faster than at any point in history. Barry voiced his support for the campaign, highlighting that humans are irrevocably linked to nature and we need legally binding targets to reverse species decline to show leadership in advance of COP15. You can read more about the RSPB campaign for a State of Nature target here and watch Barry’s video message below.
Barry gives closing remarks in Democracy Forum seminar
As Chair of The Democracy Forum, Barry often has the pleasure of giving closing remarks to their wonderfully informative seminars.
This seminar was entitled ‘Shifting focus on the Indo-Pacific: does it hold the key to containing China?’.
This seminar took place on the same day as the inaguration of Joe Biden, and Barry spoke of his hope that President Biden will look to de-escalate conflicts and tensions in the world.
You can listen to Barry’s closing remark below.
Barry addresses International Renewable Energy Agency conference on how to secure a just transition
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held its annual ‘Public-Private Dialogue’ last week with the theme ‘COVID-19 as a game changer: Actions needed to accelerate the pace of the energy transition.’ Barry was joined by representatives from the energy industry and trade unions including:
Alan Heywood, Director of Group Strategy - BP
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation
Gonzalo Saenz de Miera, Climate Change Director - Iberdrola
Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Chairman & Managing Director, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Government of India
Barry’s interventions focused firstly on the UK’s renewable energy plans outlined by Boris Johnson’s ‘Green Industrial Revolution’, including investment in conventional renewables such as wind, new innovations such as green hydrogen and increased electrification of transport and domestic heating. Barry then charted a path for increased collaboration between governments and the energy industry in order to secure a just transition, citing the need for realism on both sides, greater transparency from industry about their renewable plans and climate risks in addition to placing worker’s rights and union representation at the heart of the transition.
You can watch Barry’s interventions here:
Barry’s Speech for the European Union Future Relationship Bill
The debate was curtailed before The Speaker reached Barry’s slot on the Call List. This is the speech he had prepared.
Barry continues to fight for leaseholders and proposes a windfall tax on the industry to fix fire defects
Barry has spoken in the chamebr and written to the relevant Minister to speak up for his constiuents that are still being plagued by the issue of unsafe cladding.
Barry writes to Trading Standards over the sale and use of illegal fireworks
Barry has written to the Trading Standards regarding the use of excessively loud fireworks, especially over the bonfire night and diwali period.
Section 8 of The Fireworks Regulations 2004 reads “No person shall supply, or offer or agree to supply, any category 3 firework which, when used, produces a maximum A-weighted impulse sound pressure level exceeding 120 decibels...”.
Barry has asked that this matter be looked into urgently. You can see his letter below.
Barry gives passionate speech in the debate on Free School Meals
Barry has given a passionate speech in the chamber during the opposition day debate on free school meals.
The motion being debated is “That this House calls on the Government to continue directly funding provision of free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021 to prevent over a million children going hungry during this crisis.”
Barry spoke of the shame of the 5th richest country in the world having over 4 million children in poverty. He talked of how footballer Marcus Rashford shamed the government into providing free school meals over the summer holidays.
Barry also quoted the the words of head teachers of Brent North schools who have emailed Barry with their experiences. The overriding message from these head teachers is- Government paying for free school meals is an absolute minimum.
You can watch Barry’s speech below.