CPRE {1} reacted with grave disappointment to the publication today (Tuesday) of the Government's revised Climate Change Programme, Action in the UK — the UK Climate Change Programme {2}.

Paul Hamblin, CPRE's Head of Natural Resources, said:

 

'This programme represents a failure, not of one department, but of the whole Government to make the difficult decisions necessary to tackle climate change.'

'Inadequate action in stemming the growth in aviation and complacency over the effects of road building will lead to the lasting legacy of significant, uncontrolled and damaging changes to our countryside.'

When the review was launched Ministers indicated that targets were not going to be hit and more needed to done to achieve them. Refreshing honesty today and welcome individual measures {3} doesn't make up for the fact that over a year later we are still way off-track overall.

While welcoming commitments to improve how planning new development can reduce emissions, CPRE fears that today's news could add pressure on the countryside from 'techno-fixes' like industrial wind farm developments.

Paul Hamblin concluded:

'This programme should be a cause of celebration for moving towards a low carbon economy and protecting the countryside and ourselves from the worst effects of climate change. Instead the talk is of who didn't pull their weight in Whitehall and how targets won't be met.

'The stakes now really couldn't be higher for the DTI to show that the Energy Review has put reducing energy consumption and wastage centre-stage, and on the DfT to launch a full scale review of the Air Transport White Paper.'

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. The Government published its revised Climate Change Programme, Action in the UK — the UK Climate Change Programme today (28 March 2006). This confirms that current Government proposals could deliver reductions in carbon dioxide of between 15-18% on 1990 levels by 2010. The Government's target is for a 20% cut.

3. CPRE welcomes the additional funding given to micro-generation; the commitment to consult on a new Planning Policy Statement on climate change; and strengthening the Code for Sustainable Homes.