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Lib Dem's put environment at heart of manifesto - but must commit to climate change targets

Apr 14 2005

The Liberal Democrat election manifesto has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth because of its recognition that the quality of our environment directly affects our quality of life and cannot be separated from other areas of policy.

The Liberal Democrats have set out how environmental thinking needs to be reflected in all policy areas, including food and farming, transport, housing, industry, international trade and how we manage the countryside. They have also gone further than the other main parties in advocating stronger action in key policy areas, such as transport and renewable energy.

Friends of the Earth was, however, disappointed that the Liberal Democrats did not include clear targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, even though such targets have previously been announced by party spokespeople. These include a commitment to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent by 2010 compared with 1990 levels and to achieve reductions of more than 60 per cent by 2050.

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

"The Lib Dems have clearly tried to build environmental policies into their manifesto at every level and have produced the greenest manifesto of the major parties at Westminster.However, more specific commitments are needed on climate change so we can clearly see what level of action would be taken on this key issue. The Liberal Democrats, and all the other parties, should commit to the existing long term targets and promise the year on year reductions necessary to meet them."

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