Archived press release

Low-carbon economy must be coalition focus

12 May 2010

Urgent action to create a low-carbon economy must be a key priority for the new coalition Government, Friends of the Earth said today (Wednesday 12 May 2010).

The environmental campaign group said promises to develop a greener future are a significant area of common ground in both party manifestos - and that this must form the basis of a carbon-cutting strategy in both the Queen's Speech and the Budget.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have promised to develop a low-carbon future - our new coalition Government is a golden opportunity to make this a reality and reap the enormous economic benefits of investing in green energy and slashing energy waste.

"The Queen's Speech and Budget must contain significant measures to tackle climate change and demonstrate that the new Government has the determination to lead the country towards a greener future.

"The starting point must be a tougher target for tackling climate change. Our new Ministers must agree to cut UK emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020 - the minimum scientists say is needed to play our part in preventing dangerous climate change."

Following analysis of policies included in both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative manifesto and policy pledges, Friends of the Earth says that, as a minimum, the new Government should work together to take real green action by:

- Announcing two new green laws in the Queen's Speech: an Energy Bill to boost green energy development, and a Housing and Local Government Bill to deliver more energy efficient homes and ensure local councils play their part in cutting emissions by establishing local carbon budgets;
- Putting the development of a low-carbon economy at the heart of the Budget, including the establishment of a Green Investment Bank, a fund to create new green jobs and the introduction of a supermarket regulator.
- Immediately announce plans to scrap expansion at Heathrow airport (and preferably all airport expansion).

Friends of the Earth is also making the following key demands of the new Government:

- A new law which will tackle the greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation caused by the UK's dependence on imported feeds for meat and dairy - and which will support better UK farming and domestic feed production;
- That the UK plays a leading role in securing an international agreement on cutting emissions where those responsible make the deepest cuts first, and developing countries are supported to grow in a low-carbon way.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. There is significant common ground in both party manifestos and policy pledges - and this should form the basis of the new Government's action to tackle climate change.

A NEW ENERGY BILL
Introduce an Emissions Performance Standard to limit climate-changing pollution from fossil-fuelled power stations
The Conservatives pledged to introduce a draft EPS for consultation within six months, and final one after 12 months.
The Liberal Democrats back this.

Set tough renewable energy targets and publish a plan to meet them
Conservatives: "We need to generate 15% of our energy from renewable by 2020"
Liberal Democrats "Set a target for 40% of UK electricity to come from clean, non-carbon emitting sources by 2020"

These targets appear different, but they are roughly equivalent. The Conservative promise is for all energy, including fuel for cars and heating, the Liberal Democrats for just electricity. Most expert opinion would say that to meet a 15% target for renewable energy overall would require about 40% of electricity to come from renewable sources. Powering vehicles and providing heat from renewable is more difficult than replacing electricity generation.

Smart Electricity Grid
Conservatives: "A Conservative Government will ... create an "electricity internet" .... to manage supply and demand".
LibDems: will create a "dynamic electricity grid that can better connect and integrate new clean energy technologies".

Promote Community Energy Schemes
Liberal Democrats would "encourage community-owned renewable energy schemes where local people benefit from the power produced."
Conservatives would allow "communities that host renewable energy projects ... to keep additional business rates they generate".
Both backed improvements to the feed-in tariffs scheme to provide further support to community energy schemes during the election campaign. Feed-in tariffs, which Friends of the Earth lead the campaign for, guarantees long-term payments for small-scale green energy generation.

Nuclear power
Conservatives pledge nuclear power could only be built "provided they receive no public subsidy"
Liberal Democrats "reject a new generation of nuclear power stations".
Common ground is refusal to spend Government money on them.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING BILL
Loans for home owners to improve energy efficiency
Conservatives want a "Green Deal, giving every home up to £6,500 of energy improvement measures - with more for hard to treat homes".
The Liberal Democrats want a "home energy improvement package of up to £10,000 per home, paid for by the savings from lower energy bills."

Local council action to cut carbon emissions
Both parties have publicly backed carbon budgets for local councils (a limit on the amount of carbon that can be emitted in a council area over a specific time period). Local carbon budgets set in line with the cuts scientists say are required - and local circumstances - must be set up in the new Government's first term to give councils time come up with an action plan to enable them to play their part in meeting UK targets for cutting emissions under the Climate Change Act.

Local transport
Conservatives: "We will support sustainable transport initiatives that work best for local communities by giving the concerns of cyclists much greater priority, encouraging partnerships between bus operators and local authorities".
Liberal Democrats: "Give councils greater powers to regulate bus services according to community needs ... include the promotion of safer cycling and pedestrian routes in all local transport plans."

EARLY GREEN BUDGET
Create a Green Investment Bank
Conservatives: "We will create Britain's first "Green Investment Bank" ... to finance new green technology start ups."
Liberal Democrats "We will set up a United Kingdom Infrastructure bank ... essential to delivering the much needed expansion of Britain's transport and energy infrastructure".

Green job creation in year one
Conservatives: provide "green collar workforce for the future"
Liberal Democrats "begin term of office with one-year job creation and stimulus package ... £3.1 billion of public spending that can be used to create 100,000 jobs".

Reform Air Passenger Duty
Conservatives: "reform APD to encourage a switch to fuller and cleaner planes"
Liberal Democrats: "replace APD with a per plane duty, capturing freight".

10% cut in Government energy use
Both parties agree

Green procurement
Conservatives: "Government procurement is a £200 billion a year market that can be used much better to stimulate enterprise and innovation".
Liberal Democrats "Use the substantial purchasing power of Government to expand the market for green products and technologies."

Both parties also agree specifically on procuring more sustainable food.
Conservatives: "we will ensure that food procured by Government departments, and eventually the whole public sector, meets British standards of production."
Liberal Democrats "We will use Government procurement policy to expand the market for sustainable and fair-traded products".

Supermarket ombudsman
Conservatives "We will introduce an independent supermarket ombudsman".
Liberal Democrats "Create a legal supermarket code and a powerful independent regulator of Britain's food market."

KEY EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT
Cancel Heathrow third runway
Both parties agree on this.

LONGER TERM COMMITMENTS
CAP reform/farm subsidies
Conservatives promise "further reform of the CAP to deliver greater value for money while supporting the sustainability of British farming."
Liberal Democrats call for "reform of agricultural subsidies so that ... the environment is protected."

Tree planting
Conservatives in favour of "Planting up to 1 million new trees in the next Parliament". Liberal Democrats say "We will aim to double woodland cover by 2050".

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