Archived press release

Green cross code election poll: candidates' results

6 June 2001

GREEN CROSS CODE ELECTION POLL: RESULTS

Before going to vote, people round the country have been measuring their candidates against Friends of the Earth's green credentials test - the "Green X Code". The results are the views of candidates not Party machines.

The Green Cross Code is a set of green targets - reducing emissions that lead to dangerous climate change; boosting recycling; curbing incineration; boosting public transport and ensuring that business is accountable to society for their social and environmental impacts.

This is how election candidates fared:

• Lib Dems fared best - 93% of responders signed up to the set of 5 pledges, compared to 14% Conservatives and 39% Labour.
  
• Transport was the "hottest potato": The transport pledge (trebling investment in buses by 2005) was was the least signed of the pledges with 16% of Conservatives signing up,41% of Labour and 94% of Lib Dems.
• Contrary to some of New Labour's “pro-business” rhetoric, many Labour candidates said they supported controls on business. The business pledge, ensuring businesses take into account their social and environmental impacts, was popular amongst Labour candidates - with 50% signing up (versus 99% of Lib Dems and 20% of Conservatives)
  
• Greens signed 100% of pledges, Independent 100%, Scottish Greens 100%, Ulster Unionists 100%, Plaid Cymru 88%
  

Commenting, FOE Parliamentary Campaigner Martyn Williams said:

"More and more people are putting environmental issues at the top of the list of concerns.When you think about issues like BSE, foot and mouth, climate change, GM food, traffic pollution and the state of our railways, that's not surprising. Voters taking the environment test, the Green X Code, around the country have found that of the three biggest parties, Lib Dems do better than Tories or Labour candidates in showing their commitment to the environment."

Detailed Results:

Green X Code pledges, % of candidates supporting them by Party.

Business

Make businesses accountable to society by requiring Directors to report on, and take into account, their environmental and social impacts

Labour:` 50%
Lib Dem: 99%
Tory: 20%

Climate

Protect the world's climate by cutting CO2 emissions by 20% & generating 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2010

Labour: 45%
Lib Dem: 97%
Tory: 20%

Food

Make biotech companies responsible for any harm caused by genetically modified crops and food by introducing strict liability legislation

Labour: 48%
Lib Dem: 99%
Tory: 26%

Transport

Treble investment in buses and traffic calming by 2005 so that everyone has access to regular public transport and can live in a safe street

Labour: 41%
Lib Dem: 94%
Tory: 16%

Waste

Provide every household with quality doorstep recycling ensuring no new incinerators are needed and half our waste is recycled by 2010.

Labour: 42%

Lib Dem: 97%
Tory: 21%

The whole Green X Code (All 5 pledges above)

Labour: 39%
Lib Dem: 93%
Tory: 14%

Figures are calculated from responses received (124 Labour, 137 Conservative, 287 Lib Dem, 624 candidates in all). Candidates who responded but did not support specific pledges are not included in these figures .

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