Archived press release

UK businesses warn Government against climate law blunder

3 June 2008

Johnny Borrell and band of MPs play gig in support of strong law

Top UK businesses believe the government may be about to get it wrong again on landmark green legislation due to go through the Commons this summer. Two thirds of FTSE 100 and 250 firms surveyed for Friends of the Earth believe it will be a mistake for the Government to exclude international aviation and shipping emissions from the new Climate Change Law [1].

The survey's findings send a `plane message' to MPs that business does not support measures which give special treatment to the aviation and shipping industries. It also shows that business welcomes the introduction of a legal framework that could help make it easier and cheaper for them to be more climate friendly.

Fifty seven per cent think the proposed law will give UK businesses and investors the confidence they need to invest in low carbon technologies. And half of companies that expressed a view said they believe the law will give UK business a competitive advantage in the global marketplace by making Britain one of the first low carbon economies in the world [2].

Today (3 June 2008) Razorlight front man Johnny Borrell will also take to the stage in front of a jet at London's Science Museum for a one-off gig in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's campaign for a strong climate change law. Johnny will play in front of an audience made up of representatives of all UK industries except aviation and shipping - highlighting the unfairness of the proposed law.

Borrell has found an improbable `support act' for the occasion in the form of five MPs. Anne Milton (Con), Emily Thornberry (Lab), Ian Cawsey (Lab) and Lembit Opik (Lib Dem) and ex-Runrig band member Peter Wishart (SNP)will be ditching party divides to highlight government plans to leave the UK's share of international aviation emissions out of the new climate change law. They will be calling on fellow MPs to strengthen the law when they get the chance later this year.

Friends of the Earth has led the call for a strong climate change law which covers all the UK's emissions and which commits the UK to cutting its emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 - the level of reductions scientists say are needed. The public are invited to support the campaign by getting on board a virtual flight to parliament at www.thebigask.com.

Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper said:

“Let's hope MPs heed this warning from businesses and vote for a stronger climate change law when they get the chance this summer. Including all of the UK's carbon emissions from the start will help our businesses plan for the future and reap the benefits of the move to a low carbon economy in the future.

“The climate change law is the flagship of this government's green policy but it's also hugely important for our economy, helping solutions to climate change flourish and weaning us off our dependence on ever more expensive oil.”

“Top UK companies know a strong law is good for business and leaving emissions from international aviation and shipping out of it is both a glaring oversight and grossly unfair - like going on a diet but failing to count the calories from chocolate.”

Notes

[1] ComRes interviewed 100 senior decision makers with responsibility for Corporate Social Responsibility or related issues in FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies in the UK by telephone between 13^th and 28^th May 2008. This includes roles such as Head of CSR, Head of Corporate Communications and Environment Managers. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. The full results of the survey are available from Unity or Friends of the Earth.

[2]The Big Ask campaign, launched in 2005 by Friends of the Earth, has successfully persuaded the Government to introduce a Climate Change Bill after being backed by tens of thousands of supporters. The Bill, which is currently being debated in Parliament before being made law later this year, will make the UK the first country in the world to commit to legally binding reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The Bill is groundbreaking but it still needs to be strengthened if the UK is going to play its part in tackling climate change. Friends of the Earth is calling on Government and MPs to ensure the law covers all emissions, including the UK's share of emissions from international aviation and shipping and to introduce an overall target for cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050 - the level of emissions reductions which scientists say are needed. For more information and to take action visit www.thebigask.com .

A briefing paper on international aviation and shipping emissions and the Climate Change Bill is available at: www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/why_the_governments_carbon.pdf"

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust