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Environment Agency Calls for Tough Action on Climate Change
9 June 2005
Increasing traffic levels, the rapid growth in flights and high dependence on fossil fuels for generating electricity mean the Government is failing to make progress on climate change according to the latest assessment from the Environment Agency, published today (Thursday 9th June) [1]. Friends of the Earth welcomed the report which it said illustrated the urgent need for Government action to tackle climate change.
The State of the Environment 2005 says that much tougher limits on carbon dioxide emissions must be introduced under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and more must be done to reduce energy use and cut emissions from transport.
The impacts of climate change are already being felt, the report says, with extreme weather events in the first years of the 21st Century.
The report also points to an improvement in air quality, cleaner rivers, a slight improvement in wildlife habitats, but flags up the poor quality of the environment for many people living in deprived communities.
Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said:
"Cleaner air, rivers and better wildlife sites may show that we are gradually learning to look after our environment, but this will be worth little if we cannot tackle the threat of climate change. The Government must take urgent action to ensure we reduce our carbon dioxide emissions from all sectors, and it should do this by committing to a three per cent cut in emissions year on year. Tough decisions are needed but the risks posed by climate change are great, as the Environment Agency makes clear."
Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to introduce a new climate change law to force the Government to take responsibility for the UK's contribution to global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent every year. For more information see www.thebigask.com
Notes
[1] www.environment-agency.gov.uk/soe
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
