Archived press release

Brown must show urgency on climate change

25 September 2006

The Chancellor's speech failed to show urgency on tackling climate change, Friends of the Earth said today.

The environmental campaign group welcomed his acknowledgement of the seriousness of the issue, his call for faster international action and his recognition that tackling climate change can bring economic benefits such as new jobs. But his speech lacked urgency and said little about what his Government would do at home to make the UK a world leader in developing a low-carbon economy.

Friends of the Earth said that he must demonstrate his concern by backing calls for a new climate change law in the Queen's Speech, and announcing strong green policies in his pre-Budget statement this autumn.

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said:

"Gordon Brown's speech lacked urgency on global warming and did little to indicate that Government action to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions would be a priority. The Chancellor's recognition that faster international action is needed on climate change is welcome. But he must show genuine global leadership on this issue by backing tough measures to make the UK a low-carbon economy. He should start by insisting that a new climate change law, aimed at annual cuts in UK emissions, is introduced in the Queen's Speech.

Notes

1. Green taxes have fallen under Gordon Brown - despite a 1997 pledge to shift the burden of taxation from employment onto environmental pollution. In 1997, when Labour came to power, environmental taxes made up 9.3 per cent of total taxes. But by 2005 this had fallen to 8.3 per cent.

2. Despite Labour's promises on climate change, emissions have not fallen under the present Government.

3. A new climate change law, which Friends of the Earth is calling for as part of The Big Ask campaign, already has the support of most MPs and three quarters of the public. The new legislation would require successive government's to make annual cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions. More information: www.thebigask.com

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