Lib Dems expose Brown’s real green credentials
Gordon Brown likes to talk-up his green policies and insists the government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Like much of the government’s record over the last 10 years, it is high on rhetoric but low on impact. The Lib Dems have analysed the data from the Office for National Statistics and found that green taxes, such as fuel duty and air passenger duty are at the lowest level since 1981. As for the government’s talk of ‘leading the world on climate change’, our record on renewable energy and cutting emissions falls far below much of Europe. Lib Dem shadow environment secretary Chris Huhne said: “Sadly, all the evidence is that Mr Brown is not green and does not understand the key threat posed by climate chaos...polluters must pay, and we should be shifting to tax pollution not people.”
Mr Huhne went on to say: “He (Mr Brown) has cut flood defence and climate research budgets. He vetoed the plan to toll road freight, and he ditched the legal requirements on big companies to report their environmental impact in operating and financial reviews." Doesn’t sound like the actions of a prime minister concerned about climate change. Rather than rely on the government to stop global warming, we have to take action ourselves and do whatever we can to reduce our own carbon footprint.
