Archived press release

Friends of the Earth reaction to reports on climate change bill

25 October 2006

The Guardian newspaper reported today (Wednesday 25^th October) that the Government is committed to introducing a climate change bill in the Queen's Speech this November and is considering setting 10 year targets for reductions of carbon dioxide.

Executive Director at Friends of the Earth, Tony Juniper said:

"We welcome reports that the Government is committed to announcing a climate change bill this year. This is another signal that David Miliband is bringing a more urgent approach to this issue in Government. Climate change is the greatest threat facing the planet and new laws are urgently needed to ensure emissions of carbon dioxide are reduced. However ten year targets are just not good enough - long term targets have failed to deliver in the past and they will fail again. A commitment to legally binding year on year cuts is needed if the we are to ensure that every Government does its bit to cut emissions."

The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's climate campaign is calling on the Government to introduce a climate change law that would commit the UK to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions every year, with cuts needing to average at least three percent. This demand is supported by 407 MPs (two thirds of all MPs) from across the political spectrum [1].

Notes

[1] A full list of MPs who have signed Early Day Motion 178 - a parliamentary petition supporting a new climate law is at: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28373

Earlier this week, Friends of the Earth published data showing that emissions of carbon dioxide had risen in the first six months of the year and are now the highest they had been since Labour came to power in 1997. In 1997 The Labour Government set itself a 13 year target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 from 1990 levels. Emissions are only 5 per cent below 1990 levels at present, excluding international aviation and shipping figures (according to the respected Tyndall Centre including these sources would mean that emissions are now higher than in 1990).

Friends of the Earth is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which launched the 'I Count' campaign last week. 'I Count' is designed to inspire personal and political action and counter the view that climate change is too big a problem to fix. Members of the public are encouraged to sign up to the campaign at icount.org.uk or by texting `I Count' to 84424. They are also urged to attend a mass event at London's Trafalgar Square, on Saturday 4th November, 2006, 1-3pm - on the eve of international climate change talks in Nairobi, Kenya.

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