Archived press release

Prime Minister responds to public in The Big Ask online climate debate

1 December 2006

The Prime Minister will respond to calls for the UK to cut its carbon dioxide emissions at the close of an online debate on the solutions to climate change today (1 December). The Big Ask climate debate, which generated hundreds of responses, was hosted at www.foe.co.uk as part of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's climate campaign.

The discussion, which was kicked off by Tony Blair and Tony Juniper a week ago revealed that many people are pleased with the lead the Government has taken on climate change internationally but frustrated by the lack of progress in tackling emissions at home. It also showed that people are willing to do their bit if they know other people - and especially the Government - are playing their part too.

The debate generated lots of suggestions on the solutions to climate change - from making more of the UK's wave power potential to the planning and design of our communities.

Many people also supported the idea of introducing annual targets for cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions. The Big Ask, Friends of the Earths climate campaign, is calling for the Government to ensure the climate change bill, introduced in the Queens speech, commits the UK to making annual reductions in its carbon dioxide emissions of at least three percent year on year.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said:

"This has been a valuable debate on the solutions to climate change. I believe strongly that just as human ingenuity has accidentally caused climate change so the same ingenuity can help us undo the damage provided, of course, the will is there. I think here that the balance has shifted dramatically towards action in the last few years. The UK has played an important role in helping bring about the change but we need to do more - internationally, within Europe and at home."

Director of Friends of the Earth, Tony Juniper said:

"There has been an overwhelming response to The Big Ask debate on the solutions to climate change. While many people are supportive of the Governments efforts to put climate change at the top of the international agenda, they are frustrated at the slow rate of progress in tackling the UK's own emissions. A key way to address their concerns is for the Government to ensure the climate change bill, which was introduced in the Queens speech, includes annual targets for cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions."

Notes

Full copies of Tony Blair's and Tony Juniper's response articles are available under embargo.

Friends of the Earth is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which brings together environment and development organisations, unions, faith, community and women's groups. The coalition's campaign, "I Count" is designed to inspire personal and political action and counter the view that climate change is too big a problem to fix. More information at: icount.org.uk

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