Press release
Nick Clegg pledges green action
26 September 2012
Welcoming Nick Clegg's pledge in his leaders' speech today (Wednesday 26 September 2012 )to hold the Conservatives to their promises on the environment, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:
"Nick Clegg has rightly identified the necessity of building a low-carbon economy - and the huge financial benefits this will bring to the UK.
"The key test of Mr Clegg's environmental resolve will be the forthcoming Energy Bill - it must contain a legally-binding commitment to decarbonise the power sector by 2030, as called for by the Government's official climate advisor.
"It's time to stand up to the anti-green Chancellor."
ENDS
Notes to editors
*** A Joint NGO statement on the Energy Bill 2012: here ***
1. On Saturday (22 September) it was revealed that Labour leader Ed Miliband was calling for the forthcoming Energy Bill to contain a clear commitment to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 - as called for by the Government's official climate advisor, the Committee on Climate Change: here.
2. A Friends of the Earth/Greenpeace poll published on Sunday (23 September) found that the party could win back lost voters if it stands up for the environment. The Populus poll shows 55% of people who voted Liberal Democrat in 2010 would be more likely to vote for the party again if it took action to achieve carbon-free power in the UK by 2030.
3. The Committee on Climate Change wrote to the Ed Davey on 13th September 2012 to 'strongly urge' him to include a 2030 decarbonisation target in the forthcoming Energy Bill: here.
4. Friends of the Earth's Clean British Energy campaign, backed by Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal - causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85 per cent of people want the Government to back UK renewable power instead. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs. To find out more and back the campaign, visit www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk.
To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.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
Last modified: Sep 2012
