Commenting on Prime Minister Gordon Brown's first Cabinet which was announced by Downing Street today, Friends of the Earth's Director Tony Juniper said:

"Gordon Brown takes the reins of power whilst we face the greatest challenge of our generation. Thatchallenge is now his. There is a window of opportunity to avert the worst effects of dangerous climate change, but we have to act now. He'll need some help from his old friend Prudence when dealing with carbon, but the foundations have been laid by Tony Blair and the public is ready. Climate change is as much as anything else a matter of social justice, and we hope that Gordon Brown will harness his passion for not only a fairer world but a much greener one too."

On Hilary Benn's move to Environment and Alistair Darling becoming Chancellor, Tony Juniper said:

"We welcome Hilary Benn to his new role - his challenge is to make sure we get a strong Climate Change Bill which includes a commitment to reduce the UK's carbon emissions by at least 3 percent per year. David Miliband has created considerable momentum in this direction and now it is up to Hilary Benn to finish the job. In this he has a chance to make history.

"The treasury also has a key role to play in the fight against climate change. Alistair Darling needs to rise to this challenge as a matter of urgency, bringing together environmental and economic policies to create a low carbon and resource efficient society. The opportunities to reap social and economic benefits from new technologies and low carbon living are huge, but it will need strong leadership to make the difference we need".

On David Miliband's move from Environment to the Foreign Office:

"We congratulateDavid Miliband on the progress hemade onclimate change during his brief time at the environment department, especially his achievements in bringing forward the Climate Change Bill.In his new role as Foreign Secretary he must keep climate change on the international agenda. We look forward to him and Hilary Benn forming a strong partnership to ensure that Britain continues to play a pivotal role in the up-coming international climate change negotiations, not leastthrough harnessing our leadership role at home in delivering a strong international framework for emissions reductions".

On Ruth Kelly's appointment as Transport Minister, Tony Juniper said:

"Ruth Kelly has huge challenges ahead, she must put climate change at the heart of transport policy, including by bringing the rogue sector of aviation under control."

Commenting on John Hutton's appointment to take charge of the new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) which replaces the DTI, Friends of the Earth Head of Corporates and Trade Team Hannah Griffiths said:

"With the dismantling of the pro-corporate DTI, John Hutton has the opportunity to move towards an approach that demands corporations are held to account for their social and environmental impacts overseas. The Blair government has pushed unfair trade on behalf of transnational corporations in spite of all the evidence showing that poor countries and their environment would be harmed. We urge Hutton to be bold and end pro-corporate trade and investment policies that undermine sustainable development prospects in developing countries."