Archived press release

PM downplays clear targets and frameworks for tackling climate change

1 November 2005

Friends of the Earth tonight attacked the Prime Minister's questioning of clear targets and frameworks following the meeting of G8 energy and environment ministers in London today (Tuesday 1^st November).

The Prime Minister, speaking after the meeting, said talk of specific frameworks and targets made people "very nervous and very worried'' and went on "People fear some external force is going to impose some internal target on you which is going to restrict your economic growth."

Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said:

"While we welcome Tony Blair's efforts to keep climate change on the international agenda, it is important that the Prime Minister remembers that leadership is about more than warm words. To show real leadership the Prime Minister must stick to his guns and keep the pressure on the international community to agree to real action with clear timetables.

"By downplaying clear targets and frameworks, the Prime Minister is ignoring calls from UK companies who want a clear framework to operate within now. There has been a lot of discussion about the false choice between targets and technologies, but the reality is that without both we cannot achieve either. Climate change is the most urgent and serious challenge faced by the global community - and we need leadership to adapt the global economy to deal with it.

"The Prime Minister's move away from a target-based approach could have disastrous consequences. It is absolutely essential, if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change, that British Ministers are sent to Montreal with a very clear brief as to what they are negotiating for. The Prime Minister must urgently elaborate what Britain's more sensitive mechanisms will involve."

Just last month, following a meeting with business leaders, Margaret Beckett told BBC Radio Four's 'World at One' that businesses had reaffirmed their call for clear targets to cut greenhouse gases [1].

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to introduce legislation which would require annual cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of three per cent which would bring CO2 emissions back under control (see www.thebigask.com).

Notes

[1] World at One, Radio Four, Wednesday 5^th October 2005

See also:

Energy companies join greens in call on Government

Business ready to tackle climate change?

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust