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Cold response to tory global warming policies
5 September 2000
The Conservative Party will cut back on Britain's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if elected it was revealed today. The move, which was unveiled in the party's pre-manifesto document Believing in Britain, was slammed by Friends of the Earth.
Today's document says that the Conservatives will “honour the Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas emissions” - which will lead to a cut of 12.5 % by 2010. This position is far weaker than the current Government promise to not only implement Kyoto, but to also cut carbon dioxide levels by 20% by 2010. Last week the shadow Chancellor, Michael Portillo, angered environmentalists by promising to scrap the Climate Change Levy. The tax is expected to lead to cuts of up to 4 million tonnes in greenhouse gases.
Tony Juniper, Campaigns and Policy Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
“Climate change is the biggest environmental threat facing the world. The Conservatives should be bringing forward policies that tackle the issue. Unfortunately they seem more interested in jumping on the latest populist bandwagon - even if it means sacrificing any hint of green credibility.”
FOE is also critical of Conservative transport policy. Tony Juniper continued|:
“We are disappointed but not surprised. In the early 1990s, they presided over large scale road building, increasing traffic levels and deteriorating public transport. They didn't have the policies we needed then, and they don't have them now. The route out of our transport crisis is not through road building, but cutting traffic levels”.
However, Friends of the Earth has welcomed some Conservative policies. Promises to minimise waste generation, and to encourage recycling as a priority rather than the large-scale construction of incinerators get the thumbs up 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
Last modified: Jul 2008
