Archived press release

Huhne urged to resign if Government rejects climate advice

10 May 2011

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne should resign if the coalition Government rejects advice from its official climate change advisor to strengthen UK targets for tackling global warming, Friends of the Earth said today (Tuesday 10 May 2011).

The call comes as leaked documents reveal that Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, who leads the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), opposes stronger action on climate change. Other departments objecting to the advice on climate targets include Transport and the Treasury.

Friends of the Earth has written to Chris Huhne saying the issue is of such fundamental importance to UK efforts to combat global warming - and the green credibility of both the Coalition and Liberal Democrats - that he should resign if the Government refuses to accept key recommendations from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

The Committee, established to advise the UK Government on setting and meeting carbon budgets, has recommended faster action on climate change including an agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2030, based on 1990 levels. The advice is based on the latest climate science, and takes account of other issues, such as the current state of the UK economy.

Although Vince Cable argues that accepting the Committee's advice could harm UK companies, it has already been welcomed by the Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change who wrote to The Prime Minister in March 2011 urging him to accept the advice. Companies included Tesco, Shell, EDF Energy, Lloyds Banking Group, John Lewis Partnership and British Sky Broadcasting.

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

"It's astonishing that Vince Cable is urging the Government to snub its key advisor's call for tougher climate targets - in opposition he argued for a zero- carbon economy.

"This advice is based on science and is supported by key business leaders.

"It's time for the Lib Dems to show their true colours - and their commitment to a safe, green future.

"Chris Huhne must make it clear that the credibility of both the Coalition and his party are at stake - if the Government won't stand up for climate action he should stand down."

The Government's environmental record is already under attack. A year ago this Saturday (14 May 2010) David Cameron promised to lead the greenest Government ever. But a Friends of the Earth report - written by the former Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, Jonathon Porritt, and published last week - says the Prime Minister will fail unless there is a huge improvement in the Coalition's performance.

The report said there had been little or no progress in over three quarters of the green policies examined and was highly critical of the Lib Dems' failure to champion their green agenda in Government.

ENDS

1.    Guardian story: Vince Cable and Chris Huhne clash over carbon emissions 

2.     Corporate Leaders Group letter to David Cameron supporting the CCC 

3.    In its letter to Chris Huhne Friends of the Earth recognises his efforts to tackle climate change. But it argues that if the Government decides to set weaker targets than those advised, he should resign as it will be impossible for him to deliver the emissions cuts necessary.  It also makes the points that:

• It would be a betrayal of the pre-election policies of both Coalition partners.  The letter includes a very long list of Conservative quotes saying CCC advice shouldn't be interfered with by Ministers, and a reminder of the Lib Dems' pre-election vision of a vastly decarbonised economy - leading to a zero- carbon Britain by 2050.
• It would seriously undermine the whole framework of the Climate Change Act.  If the advice is watered down or rejected so early in the life of the CCC then future Governments will find it easier to do the same.
• It will be the first time the UK Government has explicitly decided not to cut emissions in line with scientific advice on stopping dangerous climate change.

Copies of the letter are available from Friends of the Earth's press office.

 4.    Friends of the Earth story on how Cameron is failing on 'greenest Government ever' pledge 

5.    The Lib Dems policy document - "Zero Carbon Britain" - is still available on the Lib Dem website under a photograph of Vince Cable and the heading "What we stand for". The full .pdf indicates Mr Cable was a part of the Libdem's "Working Group on Climate Change" that drew the policy up.

To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.

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