GREEN issues have been at the forefront of my mind all week – not least because this is the UK’s first ever Green Week – launched by the government to celebrate the country's achievements so far, while also highlighting the opportunities that cleaner and greener growth can bring.

I know that a lot of constituents who write to me worry whether doing their bit is really worthwhile, when so much of the world lags so far behind.

Of course the real challenge is continuing to seek international consensus and keeping up the pressure on other nations who are not on target to meet their obligations but starting at home can be effective – not least by showing the world that the green economy works.

To that end, I opened the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday and took the opportunity to speak about green finance – investments that promote and grow green technologies – or, to put it another way, responsible capitalism.

During my tenure as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, I am determined to push this agenda until we reach the point where green finance becomes simply – finance.

Clean growth is at the centre of the UK's modern Industrial Strategy and I am proud that, following on from the warnings by the UN Panel on Climate Change that time is running out to pull the world back from the brink of ecological disaster, the Government has formally asked the UK Committee on Climate Change to investigate legislating to commit the UK to a zero emissions future.

This makes us the first country in the G7 to explore setting even more ambitious climate change targets.

Since 1990, we have cut emissions at a faster rate than any other G7 nation while growing our economy by two-thirds, making us one of the most successful countries in the world for growing our economy while reducing emissions.

It is clear that there is much to be proud of.

But there is always more to be done and I am delighted that people across the country, including Salisbury’s own Community Energy Group, are seizing the initiative and exploring ways to generate clean power close to home.

I look forward to meeting a delegation of local supporters on Friday to hear about their latest initiatives and what government can do to support their vision.