Friends of the Earth: Press Release: P.M.'s GREEN SPEECH. FOE Says: Let's See Some Action!

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P.M.'s GREEN SPEECH. FOE Says: Let's See Some Action!

05 Mar 2001

Tony Blair's latest environment speech must match warm words with action, Friends of the Earth warned today. Tomorrow (Tuesday) Mr Blair is to speak to a London conference organised by the Worldwide Fund for Nature. He is expected to talk about the need for urgent global action to counter the threat of climate change, and to commit the UK Government to support renewable energy investment.

Friends of the Earth wants to see specific spending pledges to ensure that at least 20% of Britain's energy needs are met from renewable sources by 2010, and to bring investment in renewables up to German and Japanese levels. FOE wants Mr Blair to announce:
* £100 million a year for a five year programme of investment in offshore wind farms
* at least £300 million over five years for investment in solar photovoltaics.

FOE also wants Mr Blair to use the speech to announce a commitment to a revolution in British food production, following BSE, the row over GM food and the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease. FOE is calling for the Government to produce a strategy for the next Parliament which will convert agricultural subsidies into a new programme to support environmentally-friendly low-intensity local food production. The UK should also resist pressure for global intensive farming in bodies like the World Trade Organisation.

Charles Secrett, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth comments:

"It's good news that Mr Blair wants Britain to lead the world in action on climate change. It also seems that, after four years in office, he is beginning to come to terms with the scale of the environmental threats facing the planet.

But he must also show that he now understands the need to put the environment at the heart of Government, in reality and not just at election time. Green issues need joined up Government. We need joined up thinking across Whitehall. There must be a big programme of investment in green energy if we are to tackle climate change. There must be action to tackle the environmental damage caused by industrial farming. And the Government must learn to put long-term environmental protection above short-term populist gestures like fuel tax cuts. Green Government is good for the economy, good for social cohesion and good for our quality of life”.

Contact details:

Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ

Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html

Media team