Archived press release

Government urged to introduce local carbon budgets

26 November 2009

The Government should introduce local carbon budgets to help ensure that councils play their part in tackling climate change, Friends of the Earth said today. The call coincides with today's speech by Local Government Secretary John Denham which urges local councils to "lead the way" in helping Britain meet its climate change commitments to drive down carbon emissions.

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

"It looks like the Government is starting to get serious about the crucial role that local councils must play in tackling climate change - but Government action is required to ensure that every council plays its part in meeting UK climate targets.

"Ministers should introduce local carbon budgets and provide adequate financial support to help ensure that every local authority cuts its emissions in line with the latest scientific evidence."

"A strong local carbon budget framework would help the UK meet its targets for tackling climate change, create local jobs and help the UK in developing a greener future."

Friends of the Earth is calling for local carbon budgets as part of its Get Serious About CO2 campaign, launched earlier this year, which is calling for all local authorities to play their part in meeting UK targets for tackling climate change. The environmental campaign group says that these should be:

· In line with the science: local carbon budgets should be set with advice from the Committee on Climate Change (which advises the Government on meeting the UK's mandatory targets for cutting emissions) and reflect local circumstances.

· Set for and met by every council: All councils must meet carbon reduction targets- not just those currently prioritising action.

· Properly resourced: Councils need more money, technical advice, and information on local emissions to be able to deliver the scale of change needed.

Following the introduction of the Climate Change Act, responsibility to meet the national carbon budgets is being shared across all of Government. Introducing strong local carbon budgets would show that Government is getting serious about local councils doing their bit to help to meet the national carbon budgets and tackle climate change.

Notes to editors

1. Secretary of State John Denham was speaking at the Local Action on Climate Change Summit in London earlier today. http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1394658

2. A consultation on local carbon budgets ended earlier this year.

3. Friends of the Earth launched its Get Serious About CO2 campaign in June 2009. Councils have a big say in how we heat and power our homes and how we get around and are important in shaping the low carbon future we need to tackle climate change. http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/get_serious/index.html

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