Archived press release

Conservative conference devotes day to 'green growth'

4 October 2010

The Conservative party's decision to theme today's [Monday 4 October 2010] conference agenda as 'Green Growth' has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth, but the environmental campaigning charity is warning that the coalition Government would be judged on actions, not words.

Shortly after becoming Prime Minister David Cameron said that he wanted his administration to be the 'greenest government ever'. He said: "We've got a real opportunity to drive the green economy - to have green jobs, green growth, and make sure that we have our share of the industries of the future."

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"Devoting an entire day to discussing green growth is a welcome development, but if the Conservative party wants to fulfil David Cameron's pledge to be the greenest Government ever it must follow up with bold action to make it a reality.

"We need to build a strong, low-carbon economy on the rubble of the old - we can't afford to keep the nation locked into an unsustainable dependence on dirty coal and oil.

"By investing in clean renewable energy, developing new green industries and cutting energy waste, the UK can generate hundreds of thousands of jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and secure a safe and prosperous future for us all.

"The next few months are critical. The policy decisions the Government makes, and particularly its spending review, will show whether or not it is serious about tackling climate change - or whether its green promises are simply more hot air."

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Conservative party to:

• Ensure adequate annual funds of at least £6 billion for the promised Green Investment Bank, to help finance a greener economy;
• Commit to encouraging small scale renewable energy generation by ending damaging speculation about its continued support for a strong Renewable Heat Incentive and feed-in tariffs (guaranteed long-term payments for small scale renewable heat and electricity generation);
• Invest at least £60 million in upgrading UK ports to ensure a strong manufacturing base for off-shore renewable energy;
• Maintain Carbon Trust and Energy Savings Trust funding - they both have a great track record of investing in new industries, and saving businesses, households and public bodies billions of pounds through energy efficiency;
• Introduce a nationwide system of local carbon budgets, helping every local area to do its bit towards meeting the targets in the UK Climate Change Act;
• Back Rob Flello MP's Sustainable Livestock Bill which will tackle the major greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation caused by the UK's dependence on imported feeds for livestock, as well as supporting planet-friendly UK farming and domestic feed production;
• Play a constructive role in securing international agreement on cutting emissions where those responsible make the deepest cuts first, and developing countries are supported to grow in a low carbon way - and as part of this, put pressure on the EU to commit to cutting its emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020, without offsetting.
• Set more ambitious recycling targets. A Friends of the Earth report last month said that this could create more than 50,000 new recycling jobs.

Notes to editors:

1. Conservative party agenda 2010:

2. Cameron: I want coalition to be the 'greenest government ever

3. Friends of the Earth briefing on the CSR.

4. Friends of the Earth press release: Huhne warned over green energy cash threat

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust