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Blair faces new EU bruising on climate change

22nd Jun 2005

Blair defends plans for UK presidency of EU

Prime Minister Tony Blair faces yet another EU 'bruising' tomorrow (June 23rd) when he addresses Euro-MPs in Brussels.

MEPs are to grill Mr Blair on his plans for the UK presidency of the EU, which runs for six months from July 1st.

UK Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas, who will intervene in tomorrow's debate on behalf of the Green Group, said Mr Blair was "in for a shock" if he tried to pose as "Europe's saviour", by lecturing the EU on the merits of Britain's chosen route of ever more free trade and deregulation.

"If Tony Blair continues to argue that the way out of Europe's problems is to prioritise economic growth and international competitiveness above social and environmental protection, he will meet with short shrift from many MEPs", she said.

"It's time for Mr Blair, and his colleague Peter Mandelson, to stop lecturing us on the merits of free trade, and start listening to the voters, who are clamouring for more social regulation and environmental protection, not less."

Dr Lucas, who is a member of the European Parliament's influential Environment Committee, will challenge Mr Blair to make three key assurances on climate change if he is to retain MEPs confidence: . To rule out nuclear power as a 'solution' to reducing CO2 emissions . To promote mandatory, progressively increasing, targets for energy efficiency across the EU . To adopt targets for renewables which are consistent with a reduction of between 30 and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Dr Lucas added: "Mr Blair has said that climate change is the biggest threat we face, and has promised to make it a priority for the UK Presidency. But we'll need more than fine words. If MEPs are to be persuaded that he is serious about climate change, Mr Blair will have to deliver on his rhetoric. His track record is not good: CO2 emissions in the UK have actually risen under his premiership, and he has lost credibility by trying to increase the level UK emissions under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. "

"If he hopes to avoid yet another rift between the UK and the EU, he must leave the spin machine at home and demonstrate his commitment to taking real, measurable steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

ENDS

For more information please contact Ben on 01273 671946, 07973 823358 or ben@greenmeps.org.uk