TAUNTON Deane MP Rebecca Pow has been named as the Greenest New MP, following her win at the first ever Green Heart Hero Awards at a ceremony in Parliament. 

Rebecca attended the ceremony on Tuesday, where she received the award for the Greenest New MP in recognition of the work she has done in both Taunton Deane and nationally.

She said: “I was delighted to win this award and thank you to everyone who nominated and voted for me. 

“Standing up for our environment has been something I have done all my life and getting to Westminster provided a great opportunity to do this at a Government level. 

“I’ve been involved in a wide range of issues from the ban on microbeads, to seeing better protection for our ancient woodlands and getting recognition for healthy soils in the 25-year environment plan.

“A more sustainable environment affects us all in Taunton Deane whether urban or rural. I am looking forward to holding my next environment forum in the constituency.”

The Green Heart Hero Awards are the brainchild of The Climate Coalition – a group of more than 130 organisations representing over 15 million people ranging from the RSPB, WWF, Women’s Institute and the Woodland Trust, to aid agencies such as CAFOD, Tearfund and Christian Aid.

The awards are the culmination of events by The Climate Coalition to ‘Show The Love’ and celebrate the things we love which are at risk from climate change – whether sports rained off or natural beauty spots damaged by increased flooding.

Claire Perry MP, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, who opened the event, said: “I’m so delighted to be supporting the first Green Heart Hero Awards in the grand rooms of Speaker’s House, which show how committed people across the country are in helping to protect the people, wildlife and places they love from climate change. 

“From individuals to businesses, more and more people are helping with the transition to cleaner and more secure energy and lower carbon ways of living and working. 

“I wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to congratulate their incredible work. 

“The nominations for these awards have shown just how committed and passionate we can be at tackling climate change and I am sure that they will provide the inspiration for even more people to get involved.”