The coronavirus crisis has engulfed our lives and dominated politics for the last year, but we must not forget the other crisis that threatens our very existence - the climate and ecological emergency.

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a virtual meeting with over 100 people from Hampstead and Kilburn to discuss the urgent need to tackle climate change. It was encouraging to see such high levels of attendance – including from climate groups in Brent – which is a sign of how important this issue is both to our local community and the future of the planet.

Brent & Kilburn Times: MP for Hampstead and Kilburn Tulip Siddiq outside Swiss Cottage Library in London after residents of five multiple-storey towers of the Chalcots Estate in north London were invited to a meeting in the wake of learning their homes are covered in combustible cladding. Picture: Lauren Hurley/PAMP for Hampstead and Kilburn Tulip Siddiq outside Swiss Cottage Library in London after residents of five multiple-storey towers of the Chalcots Estate in north London were invited to a meeting in the wake of learning their homes are covered in combustible cladding. Picture: Lauren Hurley/PA (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

We were joined by Dr Alan Whitehead, Labour's Shadow Minister for Energy and a Green New Deal, who spoke about the work that the Labour Party has been doing to put climate change at the top of the political agenda. We are pushing the government to deliver a transformational green agenda and take a strong global leadership role at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

This is an issue that is very close to my heart, and I have spoken many times in parliament about the need to make our carbon emissions targets much more ambitious, improve energy efficiency, invest in renewable energy sources and cut down on waste that is destroying our environment. Last year, I campaigned for the government to stop financing new oil and gas projects around the world.

Our biggest battles are ahead of us, and this year will be crucial as we fight to make the path to recovery from Covid-19 a green one. I will be fighting for this right alongside brilliant local activists.