Archived press release

Radical action needed on climate change

8 December 2004

Friends of the Earth warned the Government today that unless immediate and sustained reductions in carbon dioxide are delivered, Tony Blair's credibility in leading international efforts on climate change will be severely undermined. Carbon dioxide emissions have not declined since Labour came to power in 1997.

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said:

"The Government must make significant cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions if Tony Blair really wants to lead the world in tackling climate change. Replacing old, inefficient coal-powered stations with cleaner alternatives, introducing economic incentives to encourage energy efficiency, and encouraging the use of less polluting transport options are desperately needed measures. Climate change is the biggest environmental threat the planet faces. Unless radical action is taken across every government department, we will all pay the price."

Today's Government review, which has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth, indicates that:

• The Government will miss its target of a 20 per cent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 (from 1990 levels). Instead current policies are likely to lead to a reduction of around 14 per cent. Much of this saving is a result of the dash for gas under the Conservative Government.

• The Government is on target to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol for reducing all greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. However, it is widely accepted that more substantial cuts are needed and that the Kyoto targets were based on political wrangling rather than a scientific consensus about the level of reductions needed. Negotiations on deeper cuts under the Kyoto Protocol start in earnest in 2005.

To deliver the cuts in carbon dioxide that are necessary the UK Government will need to address the following sectors:

• Energy production from coal-fired power stations has increased since 2000, representing around a third of electricity production. The fastest measure for making significant reductions in carbon dioxide would be to phase-out these inefficient plants and replace them with cleaner sources (gas, renewable energy, bio-fuels and potentially new more efficient coal technologies).

• Energy Efficiency: The commerce and domestic sector is responsible for a third of carbon dioxide emissions. The introduction by the Treasury of financial incentives to reduce energy consumption, alongside grant schemes for energy efficiency, could result in considerable savings.

• Transport: the recent Transport White Paper and Aviation White Paper both forecast growth in emissions from these sectors. Stronger incentives for buying fuel-efficient vehicles, support for the widespread introduction of bio-fuels and financial penalties for using gas guzzling cars and short-haul flights are needed to reduce emissions in these sectors.

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