Home > Press releases > Archived press releases > 2000 > Government to publish plans to tackle climate change

Making life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems

• biodiversity
• climate
• corporates
• economy
• energy
• global trade
• planning
• real food
• transport
• waste

Archived press release

Government to publish plans to tackle climate change

16 November 2000

The Government is publishing its UK Climate Programme launch on Friday (17 November).
The programme is being launched midway through the most important international climate summit since Kyoto. The programme must contain quantified measures to show how the UK will meet:

• its Kyoto obligations (12.5% cut in a basket of greenhouse gases by 2008-12)
• its manifesto pledge to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% on 1990 levels by 2010.

The draft Climate Programme, issued in the spring, contained quantified measures that would achieve 14-18% cuts in carbon dioxide emissions - clearly well below the 20% target.Achieving savings at the higher level will entail significant implementation of the Government's integrated transport policy. At present this looks unlikely.

Since the draft was published, two key events have weakened its effectiveness. Firstly, the Government's 10 year plan outlined £180 billion of investment that will radically change emissions from the transport sector - probably leading to increases. Secondly,the Chancellor's recent pre-budget statement cut the duty on low sulphur fuels. Although these fuels are needed to facilitate cleaner exhaust emissions, the duty cut will encourage more people to drive.

Charles Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth said:
“Climate change is the most serious environment problem the world faces. This is why Friends of the Earth welcomed the Government's election promise to cut carbon dioxide emissions by a fifth by 2010. The publication of the Government's climate strategy will hopefully spell out how it is going to achieve this goal. If it does this it will send a powerful message to the climate negotiations at the Hague and provide a blueprint for other nations to follow.”

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Discuss "Government to publish plans to tackle climate change" in our forum

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

Contact us | Support us | Copyright © Friends of the Earth Trust/Limited