Lib Dems commit to carbon neutral Britain
Monday, 17 September 2007 12:00 AM
The Liberal Democrats today positioned themselves as the party to take radical action on climate change by promising to commit the UK to a carbon neutral future in elected.
Delegates at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton overwhelmingly supported the party's policy paper on climate change, including controversial commitments for no new nuclear power stations and for ten per cent of fuel sold in forecourts to come from renewable sources by 2015.
Led by Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne, the conference floor saw lively debate that could be seen as a sign of the party's democratic health; or the sort of internal divisions which would be seized upon in a Conservative conference debate on the environment.
Mr Huhne attacked Gordon Brown's "feeble" efforts on the environment and track record of cutting green taxes and other investment for climate change research and flood defences.
As the Conservatives attempt to position themselves as the green party of choice, Mr Huhne also focused his criticism on David Cameron, recalling the stark absence of any green interest prior to his leadership in 2005.
Calling for delegates to back a carbon neutral Britain, Mr Huhne said the UK could "no longer pretend" the 60 per cent cut in carbon emissions is sufficient, with scientists now arguing for an 80 per cent minimum reduction.
The paper also calls for UK leadership to set more ambitious targets in the second commitment phase of Kyoto
It argues the climate change levy should be strengthened into a carbon tax which could be used against primary fuels.
The paper further commits to a green tax switch, steeply increasing car tax for the most polluting vehicles, reforming air passenger duty into an aircraft tax and indexing fuel duty to GDP growth.
On renewable energy, the paper sets proposes 30 per cent of UK electricity should come from non-carbon sources by 2020, rising to 100 per cent by 2050.
After a fiercely contested amendment debate, delegates ruled nuclear energy should not be included in this target.
The paper strengthens the government's commitment to greener house building, arguing all homes must be built to Greenhouse standards by 2011.
To improve energy efficiency in existing homes, the Lib Dems claim "green mortgages" should be made available for improvements, paid off by savings from lower energy bills.
It further affirms the party's commitment to investment in rail improvement, including high speed links and charges on UK flights excluding lifeline flights.
Positioning the UK as a global leader on climate change, the paper commits the government to helping developing countries embrace low carbon technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Insisting a green Britain would be a better Britain, Mr Huhne said: "My green vision is not about hair shirts but wholesome living."
Mr Huhne concluded: "We must know by now we have little time to change. But we still have to make that leap. We have to summon up that courage.
"What sort of people are we if we value our own instant pleasure more than our children and their future on this planet?...We hold this world in trust."
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