Friends of the Earth say that Lib Dems have greenest manifesto

8.39.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 15th Apr 2005

Friends of the Earth have welcomed the Liberal Democrat's election manifesto, saying it recognises that the environment cannot be separated from other areas of policy.

Tony Juniper, executive director of Friends of the Earth said: "The Lib Dems have clearly tried to build environmental policies into their manifesto at every level and have produced the greenest manifesto of the major parties at Westminster. However, more specific commitments are needed on climate change so we can clearly see what level of action would be taken on this key issue."

Charles Kennedy, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, underscored his Party's commitment to the environment by highlighting the 'Green Thread' that runs throughout Liberal Democrat policy.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto, launched yesterday, includes green action points in every policy area. The Liberal Democrats are committed to:

· Britain taking the lead on negotiations for the next set of targets for greenhouse gas emissions;

· Recycling 60% of all household waste by 2012;

· 20% of electricity generated by renewable sources by 2020;

· Cutting back Labour's road-building programme;

· No commercial GM crops, unless they are proved to be safe for people and the environment;

· A moratorium on new incinerators and no new nuclear power stations.

He revealed figures that show environmentally damaging behaviour cost Britain a massive £67 billion last year - equivalent to last year's budget for the NHS.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Charles Kennedy said:

"I, personally, am passionate about the environment. For me, politics is not just about helping people to improve their lives now; it is also about taking responsibility for future generations.

"That is why action on the environment runs - as a green thread - through our manifesto. On the economy, education, health, transport or foreign affairs, we show how our green policies would work to protect and improve the environment.

"Time is not on our side. The reality of climate change is with us here and now. If Tony Blair had devoted even a tenth of the political energy, wealth and resources that have been expended over Iraq, to convincing George Bush of the urgency of the environmental threat, imagine where we could be by now.

"I wrote to Tony Blair and Michael Howard urging them to sign up to a statement of both principle and action on the environment. I received no reply from either of them.

"On the environment, the Liberal Democrats are not just the real alternative - If you want to improve the environment we are the only choice."

Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

"Proper care for the environment is central to the Liberal Democrat vision of a vibrant, thriving Britain in which sustainable living is a reality, not just a soundbite.

"When it comes to protecting our environment, and tackling climate change, we can dismiss the Tories from the start. Their policies would be a disaster for the environment.

"Tony Blair at least acknowledges climate change, but he is all talk and no action. How can he lead the G8 when he has failed to put his own house in order? Under Labour, emissions have actually risen.

"Britain needs a party that will put the environment centre stage and face up to the difficult decisions that are necessary to deal with climate change. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to a green thread throughout government."

Sue Doughty, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Minister, said:

"Climate change is the biggest threat the world faces, but for many it still remains an abstract and distant concept.

"It is not that people don't care about the environment, but people often see the environment as a huge issue affecting the planet, not something that they themselves can directly affect.

"The Liberal Democrats believe we can bring the environmental debate into local communities, and right into people's daily lives.

"Not by ignoring the big issues like climate change, but by bringing home to people just how affected they are by the environment where they live."