An MP who is part of several parliamentary groups focused on climate change has visited a research centre at the University of Oxford.

Barry Sheerman MP, who also chairs the Labour Back Bench DEFRA Committee, was welcomed by researchers at the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) earlier this week.

Mr Sheerman, who represents Huddersfield, is part of parliamentary groups that have founded several commissions.

These include The Hydrogen Energy Group, The Clean Air Commission, The Westminster Commission on the Renaissance of the River Thames, and the European Clean Cities Initiative.

Oxford Mail: (L-R) Dr John Ingram from ECI, James Wallace, CEO at River Action UK, Anna Eavis, CEO at Oxford Preservation Trust, Barry Sheerman MP, Dr Nick Leimu-Brown, principal, Linacre College, prof Michael Obersteiner, ECI, and prof Myles Allen, ECI(L-R) Dr John Ingram from ECI, James Wallace, CEO at River Action UK, Anna Eavis, CEO at Oxford Preservation Trust, Barry Sheerman MP, Dr Nick Leimu-Brown, principal, Linacre College, prof Michael Obersteiner, ECI, and prof Myles Allen, ECI (Image: Environmental Change Institute)

These efforts demonstrate his commitment in advocating for evidence-based policy to tackle the ongoing climate crisis.

Mr Sheerman said: "We are keen to build closer contacts with the expertise of universities that have both a competence and interest in environmental areas.

"That is why I’m interested in working together with the ECI to tackle the challenges that face our country and our planet."

Throughout his career, Mr Sheerman has focused on education and the environment.

He set up the cross-party think tank, Policy Connect, and established and chairs the Westminster Commission on Autism and the Westminster Commission on Road Air Quality.

Michael Obersteiner, director of the ECI, said: "You mention that you are focused on evidence-based policy and the ECI is the factory where the evidence production begins.

"Climate anxiety is a real and growing concern, but climate change is fixable.

"The ECI strives to demonstrate that practical solutions exist and can make a difference."

After meeting researchers at the ECI, Mr Sheerman had lunch at Linacre College, speaking with Principal Dr Nick Leimu-Brown about cleaning Oxford’s rivers.

Dr Leimu-Brown said: "Campaign group River Action found the Thames River to have worryingly high levels of E. coli in the lead up to this year’s Boat Race and three members of the Oxford crew suffered from stomach upsets.

“For regular users of England’s waterways this was no great surprise. Rowers have become sick from training and racing on the Thames for many years.

"Nor is it news that Thames Water – our regional water company – is discharging billions of litres of untreated sewage into the river.

"The terrible quality of Thames water does not just have an impact on our athletes.

"It also affects all of us who walk along, picnic by, punt or swim in the river.

"It impacts valuable wetland habitats causing loss of biodiversity."

River Action UK and Oxford Preservation Trust were also invited to the lunch.

Oxford Preservation Trust cares for water-meadow along the Thames and Cherwell rivers.