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Prescott Is Not Amused But Will Government Act ?

Posted: 28/04/2005

The Government's environmental record is nothing to shout about, say campaign group Friends of the Earth. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott urged campaigners to look at the "ruddy facts" of the Government's environmental record. His comments came after an action by Greenpeace who placed solar panels on Mr Prescott's house.

Despite commitments to cut carbon dioxide emissions, the Government's record is not good. Although New Labour took office with carbon dioxide emissions well below 1990 levels, pollution has now crept up and is higher now than for many years. The increase in emissions last year of 1.5 per cent was caused by increasing emissions from industry, the domestic sector and transport and puts emissions up 3 per cent since Labour took office in 1997. Traffic levels are up 10 per cent compared with 1997, despite a commitment from Mr Prescott to reduce traffic within five years of taking office.

If the Government is to get back on track in meeting its own target to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 2010 compared with 1990 then a radical new climate change programme to reverse present trends will be needed.

Friends of the Earth's director Tony Juniper said: "The Government's record on tackling climate change is nothing to shout about. Instead of lashing out at green campaigners who are telling it like it is, Mr Prescott should spell out what environmental policies people can expect should Labour win the election. There has been a shameful disregard for the climate change issue during this election campaign and Mr Prescott should be highlighting how Labour's Manifesto commitments can be turned into practical measures to solve the problem of climate change".

"If we are not to expect yet more traffic, more pollution and more climate change after the election, then we need to have confidence that a different approach will be adopted after polling day".

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