Not good enough, Darling.

The Budget, announced on 22 April, was an historic opportunity to kick start a green industrial revolution.

This could have:

• Created thousands of green jobs
• Slashed climate change emissions

But the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, blew it.

The Government is advised by the Sustainable Development Commission.

They said £30 billion a year for the next three years is needed to kick start a low carbon economy.

But the Government's promised ‘green stimulus' was a measly £1.4 billion for low-carbon measures. 

The Government also announced their carbon budgets, which set out how much carbon the UK is allowed to produce up to 2022.

This was a requirement of the Climate Change Act, a law which Friends of the Earth successfully campaigned for.

Under the Act the Government set a target to cut emissions by 34% by 2020.

An international deal on climate change will be discussed in Copenhagen in December 2009.

The Government said they would  raise this target if an international deal is reached.

But they intend to achieve this larger cut by off-setting - buying carbon credits from abroad.

Friends of the Earth believes:

• The 2020 target is too low
  The science calls for at least 42% carbon cuts
• The off-setting loop hole must be closed
  Carbon trading will stall action on climate.

Friends of the Earth will push for:

• A real green boost
  Significant investment in green jobs.
• Strong targets
  The 42% cut must be made in the UK.

Sign up to take action on climate here.

Friends of the Earth's Budget 2009 briefing

Friends of the Earth's 2020 climate target briefing.

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