Archived press release

Paper tiger? Government publishes sustainable development plan

17 May 1999

The Sustainable Development Strategy White Paper will be “another paper tiger” if the Labour Government fails to deliver on key manifesto economic and environment promises, Friends of the Earth warned today. Sustainable development could create jobs, increase industrial competitiveness, modernise the economy and improve the quality of life for all. FOE has welcomed the White Paper's 'indicators' of sustainability, but pointed out that it has few clear targets for action, linked to defined environmental limits.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced a £7 million a year advertising campaign to persuade the public to 'do its bit'. But the public could reject the campaign if the Government does too little itself.

Key Election promises on which action is still required include:
* Cut CO2 by 20% over 1990 levels by 2010. The Government has repeated this pledge in the White Paper but has yet to produce any convincing action plan to achieve it. The Government may end up 'blaming' the public for failing to respond to its advertising, rather than making the right tax and economic decisions to give both industry and consumers incentives for change
* Reduce road traffic. The Government has retreated on setting clear national targets on cutting road traffic levels
* Protect wildlife. Authoritative press stories (e.g. David Hencke, Guardian17th May p11)have reported that the Department of Environment have failed to get increased wildlife protection included in the next Queen's Speech
* Fuel poverty and domestic energy efficiency.The White Paper repeats recent promises to install energy efficiency measures in 1 million buildings by 2002. FOE and the Warm Homes Campaign want a far more extensive national programme aimed at upgrading half a million homes a year, aimed at pensioners and others living in fuel poverty.

Commenting, FOE Executive Director Charles Secrett said:
"The Department of Environment clearly understands sustainable development - the challenge of tackling global poverty without trashing the planet. But John Prescott cannot deliver on real action without the backing of Tony Blair. The Prime Minister must follow up on its warm words and take action on Labour's election promises. It's no use just lecturing the public about the need to do better. Government must 'do its bit' too - in fact it should be leading the way. The White Paper is full of exhortation but the Government has not yet given the public the means to go green.”

A full briefing paper on the White Paper is available from FOE.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust