On Tuesday 7th February 2023, MVM brought together a distinguished panel of senior politicians and climate experts to discuss how Proportional Representation can help us to tackle the climate emergency.

There is an emerging consensus that to decarbonise, we need to democratise.

Recent months have reminded us how important solving the climate emergency is. As we celebrated the new year, temperatures across western Europe were hitting record highs, while extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency.

The evidence shows that Proportional Representation (PR) can be of significant benefit in responding to broad-based climate concerns. Compared to countries with majoritarian voting systems, countries with PR:

Score on average six points higher on the Yale Environmental Performance Index.
Reduce emissions more quickly, and are faster to take up renewable energy.
Embed the long-term approach to policy-making crucial to meaningful climate action.

Event speakers:

Baroness Natalie Bennett, Green Party Peer
Clive Lewis MP, Labour Party MP for Norwich South
Liz Saville Roberts MP, Plaid Cymru Leader in the House of Commons and MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Dave Timms, Head of Political Affairs at Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Complete speaker bios are available here. A full recording of the event is available below.