Archived press release

Cameron must step up pressure on Brown over urgent green action

16 June 2008

David Cameron must increase pressure on Gordon Brown over his failure to take urgent action to tackle climate change, Friends of the Earth said today. The call comes as the Conservative leader made a keynote green speech saying that Britain must wean itself off fossil fuels.

The environmental campaign group said it was delighted that Mr Cameron recognised that because many of today's problems - such as rising fuel prices - are linked to environmental issues, green action is more important than ever.

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said:

"We're delighted that David Cameron recognises the important role that green action can play in strengthening the economy. With fuel prices rising and concern about climate change growing, ending our fossil fuel addiction has never been more important.

"But green speeches alone are not enough. Cameron must increase political pressure on the Government over its refusal to introduce environmental measures.

"We must develop an energy policy based on fuel efficiency and renewable power. A low-carbon economy will help tackle rising costs, generate new jobs - and provide a safer, cleaner future for us all."

Some examples of Labour's failure to address green issues in recent weeks include:

• EU Renewables Target - The Government is trying to wriggle out of its EU renewable energy targets.The UK is trying to weaken proposed EU laws on sourcing 20 per cent of EU power from renewable sources by 2020, for example by proposing that green energy investments in countries outside the UK or using carbon-capturing technology should count towards the target. Friends of the Earth believes this would miss a huge opportunity to tap into the UK's abundant wind and wave power and create a new industry worth millions of pounds and thousands of jobs. The EU must stand firm and introduce a strong Renewables Directive by the end of the year.

• Climate Change Bill - Ministers are refusing to strengthen its plans for a Climate Change Bill (It should set a target for UK carbon dioxide emissions to be cut by 80 per 2050. And this should include Britain's share of international emissions from aviation and shipping).
  www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
  brown_faces_growing_backbe_06062008.html

• Planning Bill - Earlier this month Ministers refused to put an explicit climate commitment into the Government's Planning Bill. www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
  planning_bill_vote_betrays_03062008.html

• Fuel poverty - Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged are taking the Government to court for not doing enough to meet its legal obligation to eradicate fuel poverty. The two charities are campaigning for the Government to develop a far more effective and comprehensive programme of domestic energy efficiency, to end suffering from fuel poverty and tackle climate change.
  www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
  government_sued_for_fuel_p_09042008.html

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