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Comment on Branson's climate prize
9 February 2007
Friends of the Earth today welcomed Sir Richard Branson's announcement of a multimillion-pound prize for developing a methodfor removing thousands of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But the environmental campaign group cautioned that a viable technology to capture sufficient carbon dioxide from the air could be decades away and may not even be possible. Friends of the Earth said that this initiative must not distract from the need to urgently reduce carbon dioxide emissions now - including reducing the growth in unsustainable air travel.
Friends of the Earth's director, Tony Juniper, said:
"Technology has an important role to play in tackling climate change and Sir Richard's initiative may encourage innovators to develop a wonder technology which takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
"But many of the ways of tackling climate change, such as energy efficiency and renewables, already exist, and it is essential that these are implemented as soon as possible. We cannot afford to wait for futuristic solutions which may never materialise.
"Sir Richard must also look at his business activities and the contribution they make to climate change. The world will find it very difficult to tackle climate change if air travel continues to expand and space tourism is developed.
"The UK Government must do much more to ensure that climate solutions are implemented. It should do this by putting climate change at the heart of all its policies, and requiring its new climate change law to cuts UK emissions by at least three per cent every year."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
