UK 'delusional' over climate change

Friday, 1 August 2008 5:58 PM

The UK has massively overstated its reduction in carbon emissions, say two new reports which cast a harsh light on Britain's environmental policy.

Government claims of reduced emissions are based on calculations which exclude significant contributing factors to global warming, the reports read.

If aviation, shipping and the importing of goods are factored into the calculations UK greenhouse emissions are actually 49 per cent higher than reported.

That means UK emissions have actually risen since the 1990s - contrary to government claims.

Both reports are by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in the University of York.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Steve Webb said: "The government has been unbelievably complacent about the UK's record on greenhouse gases.

"The reality is that we have simply exported our emissions to countries that do the manufacturing that we used to do in the past."

Rather than hiding behind dodgy data and relying on green gimmicks the Government need to make urgent changes to move the country to a low carbon economy."

Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "Rather than hiding behind dodgy data and relying on green gimmicks the government need to make urgent changes to move the country to a low carbon economy."

Tags:
• climate change
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• domestic policy
,
• environment
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• environment and rural affairs