Archived press release

Uk quality of life barometer

14 March 2002

The patient still needs urgent treatment says FOE

The Government today published its second annual report into progress on sustainable development. Whilst some indicators show distinct improvements, others - such as traffic and waste levels and the continuing decline in farmland birds - paint a more depressing picture.

Friends of the Earth today called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to signal the Government's intention to seriously attack these problems by announcing a number of measures in next month's Budget. These should include:

• a massive boost in rail investment and a re-introduction of the fuel price escalator to tackle traffic levels, with revenues pumped back into public transport;
• the introduction of a pesticide tax to help reverse the decline in wood and farm bird populations.

Commenting on the report, Charles Secrett, director of Friends of the Earth said:

“Congratulations to the Government for compiling these key sustainability indicators. This is joined-up policy making that makes sense. The challenge now is for No 10 and the Cabinet to deliver much needed improvements. The indicators show that Britain has a long way to go in transforming energy, transport, agriculture and waste sectors to meet green goals. The Budget will be the next test of the Government's commitment to enact the national sustainable development plan - or dump it on the sidelines.

The indicators give an important snapshot into the quality of our lives and the environment we all live in. Whilst some indicators show some welcome improvements,there are still areas for serious concern. Traffic levels are still rising, the huge mountains of waste we create are growing larger and wildlife is under the cosh. These trends must be reversed.

Earlier this week a survey of world cities revealed that London was the second dirties EU capital. The survey by human resources consultancy, William M Mercer, used various environmental criteria to create its index.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust