Lib Dems: Tough decisions needed to tackle climate change

Tuesday, 13, Mar 2007 12:00

The Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell has said his party will back the climate change bill but warned the government may need to take tough decisions to tackle global warming.

The climate change bill will be published today and is expected to say Britain must cut carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

Sir Menzies said: "We welcome the introduction of the draft climate change bill as far as it goes.

"Yet this Labour government has presided over a three per cent rise in carbon dioxide emissions while green taxes have fallen as a percentage of GDP."

He continued: "The Liberal Democrats are the only party to have put forward substantial proposals on the environment.

"The green tax switch would cut taxation for low and middle income earners and increase taxation on those who pollute. These are the tough decisions which are needed."