Clegg targets carbon cuts

1 December 2007

Nick Clegg speaks to
Katie Elliott.

Nick Clegg is MP for Sheffield Hallam. He is also a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Democrat party.

Katie Elliott caught up with him to find out just how green he is.

How high on your list of priorities is the environment?

It's pivotal. It goes back quite a long way for me. I have been working on green politics for a very long time.

I campaigned in European Parliament on environmental issues such as the trade of illegally logged timber.

Yesterday in Brussels I lobbied for changes that I think are necessary to make the world trade system greener.

Do you think the Lib Dems greeness has been an electoral help or hindrance?

It is a massive asset to us. I think is very significant politically because I believe that many voters have had a bellyful of rhetoric.

They want substance so I think it is terrifically important that we're showing that we're putting our money where our mouth is.

Opinion polls show that people who take an interest in the environment think we have the best policy.

Nick Clegg MP, Sheffield Hallam.

Do you think the Climate Change Bill is strong enough in its current format?

The targets seem to me to be unnecessarily modest and out of line with scientific opinion about what is necessary.

Clearly we need to take this opportunity to strengthen it because these opportunities do not come by very regularly.

Do you support our campaign for annual cuts in carbon dioxide levels?

I do think we need to move to binding annual targets.

Five year binding targets will allow government to shuffle off responsibility from one parliament to the next.

You could argue that the more environmentally sustainable approach to life is one also that saves money.

Nick Clegg MP, Sheffield Hallam.

What else should the Bill include?

I would like to see the incorporation of a wider range of polluting activities into the scheme, notably aviation emissions

How will you support the Bill in the House of Commons?

Nick Clegg supports
The Big Ask

I'll be voting in favour of an improved 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and argue for it in the Commons.

I think this a perfect opportunity to say to the Conservatives, 'Are you serious or not? Do you mean what you say?'

I think a lot of their green rhetoric is frankly very threadbare - a sort of pale green spray paint job on an otherwise rusty blue vehicle.

What steps do you take to cut down on your own carbon emissions?

I've almost eliminated the use of the car. I almost never use a car in London now. I travel on the train. I can get around on bus or on foot. I think that's probably the biggest change.

I'm like everybody. I take quite a lot of steps but I know I could always do more.

Nick Clegg MP, Sheffield Hallam.

We've changed our light bulbs to environmentally sustainable ones. We use much less water.

We recycle much more than we ever used to. We have a whole bit of the basement which is now a constant recycling centre in its own right.

What more can be done?

We cannot expect people to change their behaviour unless they feel big business and local governments are doing their bit too.

They think 'Oh these politicians talk the green talk but why should I change if they don't get their own act together.'

Listen to the full interview (MP3).

More information

To find out more about Nick Clegg visit his website.