A Greater Sense of Urgency

This year has demonstrated the UK Government's confused and timid approach to tackling climate change, with them pledging GBP1.4 billion to tackle climate change in their ‘carbon budget' and committing to tough carbon emission targets by 2020, whilst also giving the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow, committing to the unproven and expensive carbon capture and storage technology, and promoting a car scrappage scheme that is more about stimulating consumer demand than it is about reducing emissions.

CIWEM believes that the Government has missed its opportunity to provide a cohesive environmental vision that could kick-start the green economy and transform us into a sustainable and efficient society. They have also consistently refused to become engaged in the vital population and consumption debate.

It is now imperative that ministers re-think their approach to climate change ahead of the crucial convention in Copenhagen in December.

Nick Reeves, CIWEM's Executive Director, says: "Decisions such as approving Heathrow's expansion are in total defiance of the Government's commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, undermining their own climate change legislation and breaking their promises. We must create a low-carbon economy, but this Government has shown it cannot be trusted on the environment."

"The Chancellor's green investments are predictably small in comparison to other commitments, many of which will add to the UK's emissions burden, and totally inadequate to meet the challenges of climate change. Compare this to the smaller economy of South Korea, which has committed a breath-taking £23 billion to transform its economy. And the Government lacks the understanding that technology alone is not enough to confront climate change - technological advances must be firmly rooted in development within environmental limits, which requires a fundamental shift away from conventional market-led consumerism to a new economic model that allows for more sustainable lifestyles."

"So far, the Government's record on the environment has been derisory and conflicting. Ministers must show a much greater sense of urgency. At the moment, there is a profound disconnect between public policy and the magnitude of the problem."