Archived press release

Stern measures required

30 October 2006

A tough package of measures to reduce UK emissions, including legally-binding annual targets, must follow the publication of the Stern Report, Friends of the Earth urged today. The report, which looks at the economic costs of climate change, shows that governments can afford to act - and must to do so urgently - to avoid disastrous economic costs. Friends of the Earth said Britain must continue to show leadership at an international level and should use this report to persuade other countries to act.

The report says that measures to tackle climate change will have economic benefits and that an investment of just one per cent in the global economy will avoid costs of 10 per cent.

Friends of the Earth welcomed the Chancellor Gordon Brown's announcement that there would be a new legislative framework on climate change, but said given the Government's current poor record on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, annual targets are crucial to provide an immediate drive to policy goals.

Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said:

"This report turns the conventional attitude to the economics of climate change on its head. For too many years industry lobbyists have claimed that action on climate change was not affordable, but this proves this is not the case. The good news is that we have the economic and technological ability to avert catastrophe. Government measures to reduce emissions here in the UK are a welcome first step towards tough legally binding annual emissions cuts. This will provide the framework needed to drive innovation and provide business confidence.

"The Stern report will provide valuable ammunition to support the UK's leadership role at the international climate talks in Nairobi next month - and should help persuade more reluctant countries to act. The Kyoto Protocol must be strengthened and new ways found of bringing other countries on board - but the Government will have a stronger case if it is committed to action at home."

The report highlighted the costs of inaction and warned of the global impacts, with the threat that millions of people will be displaced as a result of increased drought and rising sea levels. Access to water will become a major issue and millions of species could die out. But Sir Nicholas Stern said that the cost of tackling the problem was affordable and that polluters had to be made to pay.

Friends of the Earth said that green taxation was an essential part of a broad package needed to tackle rising emissions, with money raised used to help make alternatives to flying and motoring cheaper and more attractive.

The environmental group urged the Government to ensure that a new law on climate change includes annual targets. It must also review existing policies on road and airport growth which will lead to further rises in carbon dioxide emissions.

Tony Juniper continued:

"If the world is to avert global economic, social and environmental catastrophe, then a broad package of measures is needed at a national and international level. The technology exists to take us forward to a clean green low carbon future but emissions across the EU as a whole are still rising. Governments need to recognise the urgent need to embrace such change and adopt climate friendly policies at every level."

Last week, Friends of the Earth published data showing that emissions of carbon dioxide had risen in the first six months of the year and are now the highest they had been since Labour came to power in 1997. In 1997 The Labour Government set itself a 13 year target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 from 1990 levels. Emissions are only 5 per cent below 1990 levels at present, excluding international aviation and shipping figures (according to the respected Tyndall Centre including these sources would mean that emissions are now higher than in 1990).

Friends of the Earth is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which has launched the 'I Count' 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. Members of the public are encouraged to sign up to the campaign at icount.org.uk or by texting `I Count' to 84424. They are also urged to attend a mass event at London's Trafalgar Square, on Saturday 4th November, 2006, 1-3pm - on the eve of international climate change talks in Nairobi, Kenya

Note

Full details of the Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change

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