Home > Press releases > 2002

Making life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994

CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS RISING UNDER LABOUR

31 Oct 2002

UK emissions of carbon dioxide – the main greenhouse gas causing climate change – are higher now than they were in 1997, when Labour first came to power, according to provisional Government estimates [1]. The figures suggest Labour will struggle to meet its promise of cutting 1990 carbon dioxide levels by 20 per cent by 2010 [2].

The revelation, which raises questions over government efforts to tackle climate change, comes as Environment Ministers Margaret Beckett and Michael Meacher attend the latest round of UN discussions on climate change (COP 8) in New Delhi. Today is the second day of ministerial talks. Michael Meacher, along with John Prescott, has played a vital role in achieving international agreement on fighting climate change. FOE fears that it will be harder for ministers to play this role if UK emissions continue to rise.

According to figures from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK carbon dioxide emissions [3] for 2001 are provisionally estimated at 154.4 million tonnes of carbon (MtC). This would mean that:

• Carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 1.2 % since 1997 (152.5 MtC);
• Carbon dioxide levels have only been reduced by 6.1 % based on 1990 levels (164.5 MtC). In 1997, levels were 7.3 % below 1990 levels.
• Under the Conservatives there was a 7.3% cut in carbon dioxide emissions in seven years (1990-1997) [4].
• A previously “unconditional” 1997 manifesto promise to “lead the fight against global warming through our target of a 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2010”, has subsequently been weakened to “moving towards” such a reduction.
  

Friends of the Earth’s Director Designate Tony Juniper said:
“Tony Blair has spoken many fine words and made impressive promises on climate change. But there is a gap between the rhetoric and reality. The truth is that carbon dioxide emissions are again rising and that this is a failure of government policy. If Mr Blair is to have a leading role on the world stage and to convince sceptics like George Bush, then he must practice what he preaches.”

Friends of the Earth in its recent submission to the Government’s consultation on energy policy called on the Government to increase support for renewable energy and to take action to reverse rising emissions from coal fired power stations. FOE also backed a recent attempt by MPs to set binding targets for energy efficiency through the Home Energy Conservation Bill which was blocked by the Government.

FOE is also opposed to the building of any new nuclear power stations. Nuclear power is unsafe, uneconomic and unpopular. Research published by Friends of the Earth in September shows that climate change can be tackled without the building of any new nuclear power stations.

Action is also needed to reduce our dependence on oil in the transport sector and to reduce road traffic levels. A 1997 pledge to reduce traffic levels within 5 years has not been met.

Government aviation policy is also of great concern. The Government is currently consulting over proposals to massively expand UK air capacity. The aviation industry is one of the fastest growing sources of carbon dioxide emissions but CO2 emissions from international flights to and from the UK are not included in UK CO2 analysis. Emissions from international aviation are specifically excluded from the targets agreed under the Kyoto Protocol [5].

Notes

[1] www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/des/airqual/bulletin/download/tb01ipccsum.xls


[2] Tony Blair told Matthew Taylor (Hansard, 24 June 1997 col 687) that this target was “not a conditional target”.

[3 all carbon dioxide figures expressed as carbon.

[4] Under Labour as a percentage of 1990 emissions, there has been a 1.2% increase from 1997 to 2001 - approx a 0.3% increase each year. If this trend continues under Labour, then in 2010, emissions will be just 3.5% below 1990 levels by 2010. If the Tories had continued to achieve savings at the rate they were achieving in the early 1990’s they would have delivered a 20.8% cut. This was principally as a result of the ‘dash for gas’ in the electricity sector which has been reversed under Labour as more coal, much of it imported, is being consumed.

[5] Instead, the Protocol invites developed countries to pursue the limitation or reduction of emissions through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). To date, ICAO had not agreed any specific action, although its environmental committee is considering the potential for using market-based measures. Emissions from domestic aviation are included within the targets agreed by countries. However, the UK climate change strategy does not include any measures for tackling domestic aviation.
    

Copyright © Friends of the Earth | Contact Us |
Support Friends of the Earth