Archived press release

Tories launch climate change strategy

14 March 2005

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's speech by Tim Yeo outlining the Conservative approach to tackling climate change. The environmental group welcomed the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment and Transport's recognition of the threat from global warming and the need for the UK to develop a low carbon economy.

Friends of the Earth especially welcomed:

• the emphasis on setting short-term targets as the best means to meet longer term goals;
• the promise to "increase the ability of Parliament to hold Government to account" on carbon dioxide emissions [1];
• the transparent allocation of cuts across sectors;

Tony Juniper, Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"We genuinely welcome Tim Yeo's call for action on climate change. It is clear that cutting the pollution that is warming up our world can lead to a stronger economy and create jobs. It is also clear that current policies are not enough, and Parliament is failing to hold the Government to account over its patchy record. The annual reports on progress, and greater select committee scrutiny that the Conservatives propose would help ensure that future Governments stay on track."

Commenting on Conservative plans to reduce Vehicle Excise Duty on fuel-efficient vehicles, Tony Juniper said:

"We support Conservative plans to cut Vehicle Excise Duty on low pollution cars, but tax should be increased on gas-guzzling vehicles too. Climate change must be at the heart of this week's Budge. Reforming VED is one of the measures that must be tackled to show that the Government is serious about action on global warming."

The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, is making a keynote speech on climate change tomorrow (Tues). Details on how the Chancellor can put climate change at the heart of his Budget on Wednesday include:

• the establishment of annual `carbon accounts' for the UK. This would assess progress towards UK carbon dioxide reduction targets;
• reforming Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) to reduce tax on the most fuel efficient vehicles, and increase it for gas-guzzlers. Friends of the Earth wants Mr Brown to introduce four new road tax bands - with £50 between each band - to encourage people to buy less-polluting cars. VED for the most polluting cars should be raised to £500 per year (within 5 years), with the cleanest, most fuel-efficient cars charged no VED (starting now);
• introducing measures to force retailers of road and heating fuels to substitute fossil fuels with renewables;
• encouraging householders to go green. This should include financial incentives for installing renewable energy - such as solar panels - in the home; stamp duty reductions for energy-efficient homes and VAT reductions on energy efficient products;
• increasing fuel duty in line with inflation - at the very least - each year; with the money raised used to promote real alternatives - better public transport and streets safe for walking and cycling, particularly for children;
• raising air passenger duty, to start tackling the spiraling environmental damage from aviation;

Friends of the Earth's blueprint for a green Budget

Note

1. Friends of the Earth would like to see legally building targets for an annual reduction in CO2 emissions.

Press release on Friends of the Earth's submission to Climate Programme Review.

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