Climate Bill shaping up - but still more airports?
27 October 2008
Responding to reports that the Government is set to announce amendments to its Climate Change Bill, Green Party Leader, Dr Caroline Lucas, said:
“The news that the Government is likely to approve the inclusion of aviation and shipping emissions in its Climate Bill marks a real achievement for green campaigners – and a promising sign that, at long last, ministers might be starting to take their environmental responsibilities seriously.
“The UK’s Climate Bill is really shaping up, and will hopefully pave the way for long overdue multilateral agreements on climate change with tough, ambitious targets to protect the future of the planet and its people."
But she warned: “While I welcome these amendments to the Bill, even more dramatic cuts in CO2 are needed throughout the rest of the economy. Sadly, the Government’s carbon addiction looks set to continue, as plans to expand UK airports and build a fleet of new coal-fired power stations are ushered through.
“Let’s not forget that – in spite of all its green rhetoric - greenhouse gas emissions have actually risen under this Government. It prides itself on taking global leadership on climate change, and yet continues to dilute and delay key legislation on reducing climate emissions in the European Parliament.
“If we are serious about meeting UK and EU targets on climate emissions, we must halt airport expansion and say no to new airports – the Government urgently needs to change its position on an extra runway at Heathrow and expansion at Stansted . We must make a major transition away from fossil fuels now by investing in energy efficiency measures and a renewable energy revolution.”
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