Archived press release

Charities question Cameron's 'greenest Government ever' claim one year on

14 May 2011

Joint press release on behalf of RSPB, WWF, Greenpeace, CPRE, Christian Aid, and Friends of the Earth

Chief executives of leading UK charities have warned David Cameron he needs to ramp up his efforts to make the Coalition the 'greenest Government ever'. One year ago today (May 14) the Prime Minister made the ambitious pledge, but in an open letter the leaders of 15 environment, wildlife and development charities say the Government is losing its way. The letter (see attached) has been signed by chief executives from WWF, RSPB, Greenpeace, CPRE, Christian Aid, The Wildlife Trusts and others and levels several criticisms at Mr Cameron's environmental policies.

Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director said: "The Government's first year in office has been extremely disappointing with little or no progress in over three quarters of its environmental policies. If David Cameron doesn't accept the climate committee's key recommendations his promise to lead the greenest Government ever will be in tatters."

David Nussbaum, CEO of WWF-UK, said "David Cameron declared his Government's 'green' ambition emphatically a year ago; he must now demonstrate that his words are backed up by genuine, cross-departmental commitment to the natural environment. Adopting the fourth Carbon Budget on Monday would be evidence of leadership; failing to do so would indicate that the 'greenest Government ever' is losing its way."

Mike Clarke, RSPB chief executive, said "David Cameron made a bold promise on May 14 last year and it is the kind of promise that should not be made lightly.

"It is our job to hold him and his ministers to account when it comes to the environment and so we have chosen this anniversary to assess the Coalition Government on its green policies. There is some positive news but overall Mr Cameron has a long way to go, and could definitely do much better for our wildlife, our countryside, our seas and our climate."

John Sauven, Executive Director Greenpeace, said "To be true to his promise of making his Coalition Government the greenest in history, David Cameron must fully implement the recommendations of the 4th Carbon Budget.

"He must also remove the threat to abolish the laws that protect the UK environment in the so called bonfire of the red tape. Finally, he must come up with a coherent plan to urgently mobilise investment in renewable energy that will reduce climate change and create a much needed boost to our economy.

"If he fails to deliver on these simple measures then all the puff, all the spin and all the huskies in the world won't camouflage the fact that this Government isn't green."

Shaun Spiers, CPRE Chief Executive, said: "As Leader of the Opposition David Cameron showed great leadership on the environment but the Treasury and the Business Department are very effectively undermining his good intentions. In particular, the Treasury is succeeding in its attempts to dictate planning policy in ways that will harm the environment and local communities.

"The Prime Minister has spoken compellingly of his commitment to the environment and love of the countryside. David Cameron is now in power, and we have passed the time for warm words. The next phase of the Government needs to be about backing up green rhetoric with action."

Loretta Minghella, Director of Christian Aid, said: "As things stand the Coalition Government will be on the wrong side of history in being the greenest government never.

"What's concerning is that by doing this, they are choosing to inflict greater hardship on the poorest people in the world, who are already suffering the worst effects of climate change. Science says that governments must act to stop climate change; fairness says that governments such as the UK's must act first and foremost given their historical emissions.

"David Cameron and Nick Clegg must act now to get back on track and show real global leadership in both domestic and foreign policy."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Letter to David Cameron


Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
Westminster
London
SW1A 2AA
14 May 2011

Dear Prime Minister,

A year ago we were pleased when you made the commitment to make yours the 'greenest government ever'. It was a great ambition, with some promising policies in the Coalition Agreement and the early cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow to back it up.

Twelve months on your Government's performance is less impressive. There have been some significant positive steps including the decision to set up a green investment bank, a commitment to a Natural Environment White Paper following UK leadership at the biodiversity convention at Nagoya, and the decisions to fund the demonstration of carbon capture and storage and renewable heat. During the same period, however, we have fallen from 3rd to 13th on the international league table of attractiveness to clean energy investors because of perceived uncertainty about the direction of UK policy. There have also been some real set-backs, most notably the lack of protection for wildlife and the countryside in the reform of the land use planning system and the view that there should be a default 'yes' to new development; the delay in borrowing powers for the green investment bank; the weakening of the zero carbon homes policy; and the inclusion of all environmental protection law in the 'red tape challenge'.

Our view is that your Government started with a strong sense of purpose on the environment but is now in danger of losing its way. Getting back on track will require strong leadership from you and your colleagues. This means putting green growth at the heart of your economic recovery strategy; prioritising stronger environmental protection in your proposals for localism and land use planning; committing resources to restoring the health of the UK's land and sea; and placing international climate finance and natural resource security at the forefront of your Government's foreign policy.

Most critically we urge you to set out the case that a green economy is central to the future prosperity of the UK and not a cost to be endlessly debated and watered down, as if it were a luxury. As a first step in doing this, and to create clarity for investors and citizens about the UK's direction, we would urge you to accept the key recommendations of the CCC's fourth carbon budget report.

We believe there is still scope for your Government to be the greenest ever, but it will require both urgency and resolve. We are committed to playing our part in helping the UK achieve a prosperous green economy and stand ready to work with your Government to achieve this.

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