Press release

CCC's recommendations would hold aviation and shipping industries to account

5 April 2012

Responding to the Committee on Climate Change's recommendation that the Government formally include international aviation and shipping emissions in UK carbon budgets, Friends of the Earth's Head of Policy, Research and Science Mike Childs said:

"Excluding international aviation and shipping emissions from UK carbon budgets has been like going on a diet but still eating chocolate - the Committee's recommendations would finally hold these heavily polluting industries to account.

"But the Committee is wrong to say aviation emissions can carry on growing for years ahead - this will lead to UK households, industry and commerce bearing more than their fair share of emissions cuts.

"The Government must resist the greedy calls of the aviation industry to build more unnecessary runways - the effect on the environment and on local communities is devastating."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.       For the full Committee on Climate Change report see here.

2.       Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign, backed by more than 200,000 people and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, culminated in the Climate Change Act 2008. The campaign included a demand that international aviation and shipping emissions be included within UK carbon budgets - something the Committee on Climate Change was required to make a recommendation to the Government on. 

3.       The Climate Change Act 2008 requires the Government to make a decision by the end of 2012 on whether aviation and shipping should be formally included in the UK's carbon targets.

4.       The Committee on Climate Change recommends that the aim for the aviation sector should be for emissions in 2050 that are no higher than 2005 levels.

5.       For more than 40 years we've seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand - and it's been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we've secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth - see things differently.  

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust