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Academics challenge Labour on green record

Jul 20 2007

Gordon Brown must do much better than his predecessor, Tony Blair, if the UK is to play a leading role in tackling the catastrophic threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, a new report [1] by leading academics warns today.

The new report, New Labour, New Environment?, is an in depth study of Labour's green record since 1997. It concludes that over the past decade the environment has mostly been a low priority for Labour, with Tony Blair's government failing to respond effectively to mounting scientific warnings on climate change and biodiversity loss.

The reports authors - Dr Neil Carter from the Centre for Ecology, Law and Policy, University of York and Dr David Ockwell from the Sussex Energy Group, SPRU, University of Sussex - urge Gordon Brown to seize the "unprecedented window of opportunity" that currently exists and to introduce tough and effective policies to tackle climate change and increase biodiversity protection. But they also express disappointment with the new Prime Minister's early actions because there has been "no indication that environmental concerns shaped the formation of his first Government".

The report, partially funded by Friends of the Earth, focuses on climate change and biodiversity loss, and draws heavily on interviews with leading academics, politicians and environmentalists, who are widely quoted in the report.

Dr Neil Carter, of the Centre of Ecology, Law and Policy at the University of York, said:

"The science on climate change and biodiversity loss is clear; we have limited time to act if we are to prevent catastrophic impacts. Whilst there is evidence that politicians understand the science, at least with regards to climate change, the policy response to date has been far from adequate."

Dr David Ockwell of the Sussex Energy Group in SPRU at the University of Sussex, said:

"We need tough policies that respond to the urgency of the challenges. Government must stand up to short-term vested interests and act instead for our long-term wellbeing. The "bottom line" here isn't just financial - the bottom line is that without urgent action on climate change and biodiversity we stand poised to put an end to life on Earth as we know it."

Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"Gordon Brown must make environmental issues a priority. We stand on the edge of a global catastrophe. Firm action from our political leaders is required, not warm words. The Prime Minister must seize the opportunity to make the UK a global leader in developing a low carbon economy and biodiversity protection. He must spell out his vision for a greener Britain, including a commitment to strengthening Government plans for a new climate change law."

The report also concluded that:

• Tony Blair's Government took some action to address climate change and biodiversity loss, but not nearly enough to tackle the extent of the problem as indicated by the scientific evidence.
• Government targets for cutting greenhouse gases fall well short of what science suggests is needed.
• Biodiversity loss still seems to be a marginal issue – despite its equally catastrophic implications. For example, the Government seems almost indifferent to protecting the rich biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories.
• If Gordon Brown is serious about the environment, then he needs to signal that it is a critical issue for him. A genuinely joined-up and strategic approach is needed to resolve the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss

Labour and the environment some statistics

• Carbon dioxide emissions are now two per cent higher than they were when Labour came to power [2].

• Between 1997 and 2006 the real cost of motoring declined by 10.2 per cent. Over the same period bus and coach fares increased by 12.6 per cent, while rail fares increased by 5.9 per cent [3].

• Between 1997 and the first quarter of  2007 car traffic rose by 9.5%, and all road traffic increased by 13.3% [4].

Other key report findings:

• Without urgent policy action within the next decade to reverse climate change and biodiversity loss, the next 30 to 100 years are likely to witness catastrophic impacts on the global economy and on human health and wellbeing.

• Tony Blair provided unprecedented leadership on the international stage, but his domestic impact was limited. Gordon Brown seems to have interpreted the Stern Review as emphasising international rather that domestic action. But there is a desperate need for domestic leadership.

• The Labour Government started out with great aspirations for reforming transport policy, but perhaps in no other policy area have its efforts fallen so short.

• There was a lack of joined-up Government under Blair. Environmental issues cut across policy sectors, such as transport, energy, housing, farming, economic policy and trade. It is crucial to integrate environmental concerns across every department and policy sector. Unfortunately Gordon Brown’s recent reshuffle failed to address this challenge.

• The formation of the new Labour Government under Gordon Brown pushes further open an exciting window of opportunity to make a step change in environment policy. The Stern and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports have publicised the grave implications of climate change for the economy and human livelihoods. There is now growing awareness among the business and political communities on the need for urgent action.

• Although Gordon Brown may not have shown any great enthusiasm for the environment in the past, there are many ways in which it links to the social justice agenda he cares about so deeply.

• Progressive environmental policies often require regulation or taxation, which challenge ‘New Labour’s’ efforts to be more business friendly. There has been little pressure on the Government from the wider Labour Party to take a tougher stance on the environment and green groups have not mustered enough public pressure.

Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a new climate change law through The Big Ask climate campaign. The campaign is calling on the Government to strengthen its proposed new law by ensuring that the legislation requires annual cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions of at least three per cent each year, and that it includes the UK’s share of emissions from international shipping and aviation.

Notes

[1] New Labour, New Environment? - An Analysis of the Labour Government's
Policy on Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss by  Dr Neil Carter, Centre for Ecology, Law and Policy, University of York and Dr David Ockwell,  Sussex Energy Group, SPRU, University of Sussex.

Advance copies of the report and full conclusions are available from the contacts below.

The report is available from Friday morning at
Centre for Ecology, Law and Policy (CELP) –
www.york.ac.uk/res/celp/webpages/projects/projects.htm

Sussex Energy Group –
www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexenergygroup/

[2] www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
uk_carbon_emissions_highes_29032007.html

[3] Parliamentary Question 21 June 2007
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/ ¬
cm070621/text/70621w0037.htm#column_2121W)

[4] DfT: Traffic in Great Britain Q1 2007
www.dft.gov.uk/162259/162469/221412/221546/224925/224965/ ¬
231253/231274/traffingbq12007.pdf)

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