Archived press release

Brown must rethink aviation and planning policies

26 November 2007

Gordon Brown's speech to the CBI today backing airport expansion and planning reform has been criticised by Friends of the Earth [1]. The PM also talked about the potential role of nuclear power in tackling climate change. Last week Mr Brown gave his first green speech [2], pledging to make Britain a world leader in tackling climate change.

The Government's proposal for a new law to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions (Climate Change Bill) [3] is due to be debated in Parliament tomorrow (Tuesday), and proposals for reforming the planning system are also due to be published on the same day. Friends of the Earth campaigners are available for comment on both issues.

Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper said:

"Gordon Brown's plans for tackling climate change are confusing and deeply worrying. Last week he talked about making Britain a world leader in developing a low-carbon economy. But allowing airports to expand will seriously threaten our targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. The Government must tackle aviation emissions. It should include the UK's share of carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation in its new Climate Change Bill, scrap airport expansion plans and fundamentally re-think this country's unsustainable transport strategy."

"The Government proposals for reforming the planning system put the interests of big business ahead of local people and the environment. Controversial projects such as climate-damaging airports, incinerators and roads will be fast-tracked through the planning process. Ministers must ensure proper scrutiny of major development proposals, and allow local communities to participate in the decisions."

"Nuclear power is not a solution to climate change. It is expensive and leaves a highly toxic legacy for many generations to come. The Government should invest in clean, non-nuclear alternatives and make Britain a world leader in developing a safe and sustainable low-carbon economy."

The Prime Minister told CBI delegates today that the country had to make "the right long-term decisions for a more successful tomorrow". This included:

Airport expansion

"We have to respond to a clear business imperative and increase capacity at our airports…our prosperity depends on it….And this week we demonstrated our determination not to shirk the long term decisions but to press ahead with a third runway" [at Heathrow].

Planning reform

"Planning - which we all know that despite recent changes remains too inflexible. Following the case put in the Eddington and Barker reports the legislation which will be published tomorrow will put in place a streamlined system for making decisions on key national infrastructure projects".

Nuclear

"We need the same long termism in our approach to energy. We must - and will - take the right long term decisions to invest now for the next generation of sustainable and secure energy supplies. We have said that new nuclear power stations potentially have a role to play in tackling climate change and improving energy security."

Notes

1. www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page13851.asp

2. www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
browns_green_speech_must_b_19112007.html

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust