Liberal Democrats Launch Environment Plans

10.51.25pm GMT Tue 22nd Mar 2005

A Liberal Democrat Government would mean less pollution

A Liberal Democrat government would mean less pollution, less waste, a higher priority for public transport and more help for cyclists and pedestrians, says Southampton Test Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Steve Sollitt.

Welcoming the publication of the Liberal Democrat Manifesto for the Environment, Steve Sollitt said:

"Liberal Democrats believe that there should be a green backbone running right through Government. We need to start with firm action to tackle climate change, cut traffic congestion and give proper support to alternative fuel sources.

"Since Labour same to power in 1997, total municipal waste has gone up by nearly a fifth, we are still bottom of the European recycling league, and our streets are littered with more abandoned cars then ever before. The number of conservation sites in a good condition has declined.

"Liberal Democrats would get tough on polluters, with a new specialist Environmental Court to deal with enforcing environmental rules. We will ensure the level of penalties which polluters have to pay are appropriate to the offence - at present they are often trivial compared to the profits from environmental crime.

"This contrasts with the Conservatives, whose policy is to slash funding for the Environment Agency, who have wide-ranging responsibilities for nature conservation and preventing pollution, and who oppose the legislation currently going through Parliament to crack down on fly-tippers, fly-posters and other kinds of environmentally damaging activity.

"We will tackle unnecessary waste, with a long-term goal of zero municipal waste, through waste minimisation, reuse and recycling. As a first step, we will ensure that within seven years 60% of all household waste is recycled, and we will aim to offer every household regular kerbside recycling collections. Manufacturers will be held responsible for disposing of their products and materials that are difficult to reuse or recycle. We will not allow new municipal waste incinerators unless they can be shown to be the best environmental option.

"We will build the environment into the planning system and bring in a range of measures to make homes more energy efficient, bringing heating bills down as well as reducing pollution and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

"Thousands of people die each year from preventable cold-related illnesses - mostly pensioners. Poor home insulation and poor quality housing are among the main causes. We will allow the Pensioners' Winter Fuel Payment to be taken in the form of energy saving materials. A pensioner could save more than £100 by investing just one year's Winter Fuel Payment, and help the environment as well."

Steve Sollitt said that Liberal Democrat transport plans would cut congestion and improve road safety on local streets

"Our public transport system is suffering from years of under-investment and over-regulation. Bus and train passengers are getting a raw deal. They suffer amongst the worst services in Europe and yet pay some of the highest fares.

"Things can't go on like this. We will not proceed with major new road build schemes unless the benefits are clear, including environmental and safety factors and a full assessment of alternative public transport schemes. Resources switched from the roads programme will be used to increase investment into public transport. We will also work with industry to find ways of reducing the transport of goods (so-called "product miles"), through shorter and more local supply chains and more efficient distribution systems.

"We will encourage walking and cycling. Children walking to school get fit for life - but it must be safe. Fewer school-run car journeys also mean less pollution, less congestion and fewer road deaths. Liberal Democrats will promote Safe Routes to School with calmed traffic, safe pavements, good lighting and grown-ups on hand to conduct "walking buses". We will provide more cycle routes and reform planning rules to make sure key services are more easily accessible by foot or bicycle.

"These proposals would protect and improve the environment - helping our pockets, our families, our communities and our world. A greener Britain means a better environment, and a better life for all."

Key policies in the environment manifesto include:

Tackling Climate Change: Britain must take a lead on negotiations for tough new targets for greenhouse gas emissions, prioritising inclusion of the USA and Australia, and bringing developing countries on board on the principle of contraction and convergence;

A Greener Treasury: We would develop an Economic Incentive Programme within the Treasury to give real incentives for environmental improvements. This will shift the burden onto the polluter; such as scrapping Air Passenger Duty and replacing it with a charge on each aircraft and lowering excise duty on less polluting cars;

Tackling the long-term challenge of rising road transport emissions: The Liberal Democrats are committed to replacing fuel and vehicle excise duties with road user charging, based on the type of vehicle you are driving, and when and where you are using it.

Cleaner Power: The Liberal Democrats are committed to building no new nuclear power stations and instead would meet future demands through a combination of energy conservation measures and an array of renewable sources (20% by 2020).