Archived press release

Blair challenged over sustainable development

5 September 2002

Friends of the Earth today called on Tony Blair to ensure that sustainable development is at the heart of his Government’s actions. The environmental campaigners have highlighted 10 areas where government policies need to change or be clarified.

The challenge comes days after the Prime Minister told the UN Earth Summit in Johannesburg “We know the problems… and we know the solution - sustainable development”. In his address UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged world leaders to “go home and act”.

Mike Childs, Earth Summit co-ordinator at Friends of the Earth said:

“Tony Blair told the Earth Summit that sustainable development was the solution to the world’s environmental problems. It’s now time for him to act at home. Planning to expand airport capacity, allowing traffic levels to rise and failing to significantly improve the UK’s appalling recycling record show that the environment is not at the heart of Government thinking. The Prime Minister’s commitment to protecting the planet will be judged by what he does, not what he says.”

Friends of the Earth’s 10 point challenge to Mr Blair

1. DON’T BUILD ANY NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

The Government is currently conducting an energy review, led by pro-nuclear energy minister, Brian Wilson. The public consultation ends on 13th September. There are mounting concerns that the Government will give the go-ahead for the construction of new nuclear power stations – despite the fact that nuclear power is unsafe, unpopular and unsustainable.

Almost 50 years after the start of the UK’s civil nuclear programme we still don’t know how to safely deal with nuclear waste that is highly radioactive for many thousands of years.

2. DO FAR MORE TO REDUCE UK GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Emissions are currently rising due to the increased burning of fossil fuels. The Government must implement the polluter pays principle and introduce a carbon tax or carbon trading scheme targeting the users of fossil fuels rather than consumers of electricity.

Britain has the best wind and wave power resource of any country in Europe and renewable energy will create new jobs in an industry with massive export potential. The Government must extend its support for renewables and set a minimum target of 20 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

The Performance and Innovation Unit said we can cut our primary energy consumption by 30 per cent through cost-effective measures alone. Yet Ministers have rejected targets for home energy conservation and watered down plans to cut fuel poverty. The Government must draw up and implement a strategy to reduce energy demand, with targets and timetables, in a way that protects the fuel poor.

3. CUT ROAD TRAFFIC

On 6th June 1997 John Prescott said “I will have failed if in five years time there are not many more people using public transport and far fewer journeys by car. It’s a tall order, but I urge you to hold me to it". Although more people are using public transport, road traffic levels have also risen considerably, and are still rising. Vehicle-use is one of the fastest growing sources of carbon dioxide – the main greenhouse gas. Earlier this month the Government announced that “Car traffic levels rose by about two per cent comparing the second quarter of 2001 to the same period of 2002”.

The Government must use the review of the 10-year transport plan (due this autumn) to reaffirm its commitment to traffic reduction and put in place the transport, tax and spending policies needed to bring it about.

4. ABANDON PLANS FOR A MASSIVE EXPANSION OF UK AIRPORT CAPACITY

The Government’s recent consultation documents on new airport capacity proclaim that “the Government is committed to ensuring that the long-term development of aviation is sustainable”. They then go on to propose a number of options for massively increasing UK air capacity.

The aviation industry is the fastest growing sector of climate change emissions. Building new airports or expanding existing ones will bring more noise and pollution and will destroy homes and wildlife habitats. Rather than add to the problems caused by existing air travel and airports the Government should start to manage demand in a number of ways including ensuring that the aviation industry pays for the huge damage it causes to communities and the environment.

5. PROVIDE EVERY HOUSEHOLD WITH DOORSTEP RECYCLING

The UK languishes near the foot of the European recycling league table. We only recycle around 11 per cent of domestic waste. Switzerland achieves around 50 per cent. The UK has set an unambitious target of recycling 30 per cent of domestic waste by 2010 – though this is currently under review. FOE believes that the UK should provide every household with a quality doorstep recycling and composting scheme so that we can achieve the sort of levels achieved by some of our European neighbours.

6. CALL A HALT TO THE BUILDING OF NEW INCINERATORS

A number of local authorities are proposing to build new incinerators to deal with the mounting levels of waste. But these plans are proving deeply unpopular with communities who are concerned about the impact that incineration may have on their health and environment. They are also a waste of valuable resources. Recycling and composting can deal with most waste, so incinerators should not be needed.

7. DON’T ALLOW GM CROPS TO BE COMMERCIALLY GROWN IN THE UK

The Government will soon decide whether to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK. The public have made it clear that they don’t want GM food. As a result of consumer concern most food manufacturers have been forced to use non-GM ingredients in their products. GM crops also threaten the environment and livelihoods of neighbouring conventional and organic farmers who want be GM-free.

8. DO MORE TO TACKLE POVERTY AND TRADE INJUSTICE

The UK must take more of a lead in international negotiations to alleviate poverty at home and abroad. It must also help ensure that the World Trade Organisation’s remit is not expanded and free trade does not overtake environmental and social rights.

9. FORCE UK COMPANIES TO PUBLISH DETAILS OF THEIR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS.

The growing power of corporations has led many to question the rules under which they operate. Concerns about environmental impacts, labour standards and human rights, and the massive social effects that many corporations have in the UK and internationally need to be addressed. In October 2000 Tony Blair told business leaders that “I would also like to see more reporting on environmental and social performance. I am issuing a challenge, today, to all of the top 350 companies to be publishing annual environment reports by the end of 2001”. The call for a voluntary approach failed.

The Corporate Responsibility Coalition, of which FOE is a leading partner, has drawn up a Bill providing a framework for greater corporate accountability - making their activities more transparent and holding them accountable to a wider community of stakeholders. Friends of the Earth is urging the Government to support it when it comes before the new Parliament.

10. PUT MICHAEL MEACHER IN THE CABINET

Michael Meacher is Environment Minister and the most knowledgeable person in the Government on environmental issues. If Mr Blair wants to put the environment at the heart of Government, he should put his Environment Minister in the Government’s heart.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust