Archived press release

FOE WELCOMES NEW CLIMATE CHANGE INDICATORS . Government must stand firm on tackling climate change

23 June 1999

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's publication by the Government of a new report showing that climate change is affecting the UK. The report identifies indicators which could be used to monitor changing climate in the UK in both the short and long term. FOE is urging the Government to act faster in tackling climate change and stick to policy commitments such as its proposed energy tax, despite loud opposition from industry [1].

Tony Juniper, Policy and Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
“We welcome the publication of these new indicators, they are important in helping us to gauge the impact of climate change on the environment.Unfortunately they appear to tell us what we already feared; climate change is already happening, and unless urgent action is taken the impacts may be severe on us all.. It is absolutely essential that the Government stands firm on its commitments to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2010, and resist the clamour from those who have a financial interest in pushing for policies that will help to wreck the planet.”

Friends of the Earth is also calling on the Government to compile and publish indicators to show UK Plc's track record in meeting its commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.This would enable the public, industry and government to measure performance on tackling dangerous climate change. These behavioural indicators should include:

. the amount of renewable energy introduced into the UK each year;

. the average carbon dioxide emissions from private dwellings (this information could be included on domestic fuel bills);

. the average carbon dioxide emissions from private and company cars each year;

. the average fuel efficiency of all private cars manufactured in a particular year;

. company reports on greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon dioxide.

[1] Last night John Brown Chief Executive of BP Amoco became the latest business leader to slate the energy tax.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust