Archived press release

Brown's speech a let-down

29 September 2009

Commenting on Gordon Brown's speech at the Labour party conference today, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"Gordon Brown is right to celebrate the achievement of the Climate Change Act and recognise that our future economy must be green - but given the urgency and scale of the action needed to tackle climate change, it's disappointing that he failed to set out much bolder vision for a low-carbon future.

"Low-carbon zones could have a role in greening the UK economy - but we've much more work ahead of us if we're to be the global leader in wind power, green cars, and carbon capture that Gordon Brown claims.

"The climate crisis will dwarf the financial one if we fail to take large-scale action now.

"There's potential to create many more than a quarter of a million new green British jobs if we urgently and heavily invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and green technology.

"We're pleased Gordon Brown will go to Copenhagen - but going with the current British plan is not enough. Rich countries including the UK must commit to cuts of at least 40 per cent by 2020, without carbon offsetting, and provide at least 200 billion dollars annually to developing countries so that they can adapt to climate impacts and grow in a clean, green way."

Notes to Editors

1. The Climate Change Act requires the UK to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent (based on 1990 levels) by 2050.The campaign for this historic and groundbreaking new legislation was led by Friends of the Earth through The Big Ask campaign, which was launched in 2005 with Radiohead front man Thom Yorke and supported by 200,000 people. A short history of The Big Ask can be found at:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/big_ask_history_15798.html

2. In advance of the UN climate talks in Copenhagen, Friends of the Earth is calling for:

• The Government to abandon its promotion of carbon offsetting and pledge to cut emissions by at least 42% by 2020 at home;
• New money for developing countries, distributed through the UN, so that they can develop cleanly and adapt to the effects of climate change which are already putting millions of lives at risk. Measures to tackle aviation growth could make a significant contribution to this.
• No inclusion of rainforests in carbon markets, so that rich countries cannot buy up large tracts of land to offset their emissions.
• The green campaign group is asking everyone to sign its international petition to world leaders at http://www.foe.co.uk/climatetalks/petition.html

3. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. For further information visit http://www.foe.co.uk/.

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