Press release

Tory MEPs help kill off tougher EU action on climate change

5 July 2011

Conservative MEPs have been slammed  by Friends of the Earth after playing a key role in killing off proposals today for tougher EU action on climate change - and in defiance of David Cameron's promise to push for stronger European emission cuts.

The proposal to increase the EU's target for unilaterally cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent by 2020 was scuppered when MEPs voted to replace it with an amendment making tougher EU cuts dependent on action by other countries. The amendment was passed by only 9 votes - including the support of 16 Conservative MEPs.

MEPs, including those who wanted tougher EU action on climate change,  then voted against the new - and severely weakened - motion, and it was overwhelmingly rejected.

The Conservative MEP votes will be a blow to David Cameron. The Coalition Agreement says "we will push for the EU to demonstrate leadership in tackling international climate change, including by supporting an increase in the EU emission reduction target to 30% by 2020."

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:
 
"Tory MEPs have played a critical role in delivering a body-blow to the EU's credibility on climate change, and to the new jobs and industries that tougher emission cuts would bring.

"Their action is also deeply damaging to David Cameron, whose promise to support tougher EU climate action has been completely undermined.

"The Prime Minister promised to lead the greenest government ever - he must now show real leadership by making the fight against climate change one of his top priorities."

ENDS

Notes to editors.

1.            The amendment to make the EU target to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 dependent on international action on climate change was passed by 9 votes (326 in favour, 317 against and 15 abstentions). 

Of the 25 Tory MEPs:

• 16 voted for an amendment to make the EU target to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 dependent on international action: Bradbourn, Callanan, Chichester, Elles, Ford, Foster, Fox, Girling, Hannan, Harbour, McClarkin, Stevenson, Sturdy, Swinburne, Tannock, Van Orden.
• 2 voted against the amendment: Helmer, Kirkhope.
• 4 abstained: Ashworth, Atkins, Campbell Bannerman, Deva.
• 3 didn't vote: Kamall, Karim, Yannakoudakis.
• In addition Jim Nicholson from Northern Ireland who sits with the Tory MEPs also voted for the amendment

2.            The amended - and weakened - EU motion was defeated (347 to 258) as the Greens, Socialists and others apparently decided to vote against what they saw as a much-weakened position.

3.            The proposal to increase EU emissions cuts to 30 per cent was supported by over 70 leading European businesses who recognised the benefits it would bring in terms of jobs and prosperity.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust