This blog post was created by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) following a presentation by Hon. Regina Esparon, an MP from the National Assembly of Seychelles.
Climate hypocrisy is a common criticism levelled at governments and politicians in the media and general public. In fact, according to a study by academics at the University of Manchester, accusations of institutional hypocrisy against governments and politicians are the most frequent type of hypocrisy discourse in the media - beating personal accusations towards celebrities and environmentalists.
It’s important for politicians and political institutions to combat accusations of climate hypocrisy. This should stem first and foremost from a desire to make a personal contribution to the fight against climate change. Behavioural change at an individual level is a key component in the race to “keep 1.5 degrees alive” - to prevent global heating reaching more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Beyond this, a failure to adopt sustainable practices at a leadership level can undermine crucial public messaging about the importance of sustainable behaviour. Political leaders need to show unity in their commitment to climate action by collectively leading from the front.
As stated in the CPA’s toolkit for Parliamentarians on effective climate action, “promoting environmentally-friendly policies and practices in Parliament can provide the inspiration for others to follow.” To fully convey to their constituents the severity of the climate change threat and the urgency of action, politicians and the institutions they work within must look inward and build a watertight case in favour of transformative climate action.
So, how can Parliaments get their House in order on climate change? This article takes an in-depth look at how one Parliament, the National Assembly of Seychelles, has transformed its approach to sustainability. Read on to find out more about the steps taken by the National Assembly and key takeaways for other Parliaments.
Read the full opinion piece on the CPA Knowledge Centre
Find out more about the IPU’s campaign to mobilize parliaments to act on the climate emergency.
