Reaction to Labour manifesto: Press release
Commenting on Labour's 2010 Party Manifesto, launched today (Monday 12 April 2010), Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:
Friends of the Earth | 12 April 2010
"This manifesto falls far short of the urgent action required to tackle climate change and help Britain reap the enormous benefits of developing a low-carbon economy.
"It fails to commit the UK to cutting its emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020, which is needed to ensure this country plays its fair part in tackling global warming.
"Even welcome policies such as promoting electric vehicles are undermined by gas-guzzling plans such as motorway-widening and airport expansion.
"Labour should have set the bar far higher on environmental issues - the other parties must show voters they have far greater ambition."
Notes to editors:
1. Further comment on specific proposals in Labour's manifesto is available from Friends of the Earth. A comparison of the main party manifestos will be available later this week.
Friends of the Earth submitted manifesto proposals to all three parties, our key demands were
* Sufficient investment in switching to a low carbon economy to: achieve a reduction in UK greenhouse gas emission of 42 per cent by 2020; create jobs and boost the recovery; and eliminate fuel poverty.
* A local carbon budget for every local authority: that caps CO2 in the local area in line with the scientific demands for emissions cuts and local circumstances; and enough money and technical support to enable councils to do their bit to tackle climate change.
* A new law which will tackle the major greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation caused by the UK's dependence on imported feeds for livestock - and which will support better UK farming and domestic feed production.
* An international agreement on cutting emissions where those responsible make the deepest cuts first, and developing countries are supported to grow in a low carbon way.
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