|
 Climate
change is probably the most important global issue we are faced with today. I agree with the House of Commons All-Party Environmental Audit Committee [EAC] who have strongly urged the
Government to provide leadership on climate change this year by committing itself to Contraction and
Convergence [C&C] as the framework within which
future international agreements to tackle climate change are negotiated.
I advocate this C&C position during and beyond the forthcoming general election and urge the next government to seek support for this position during 2005 in advance of the next Conference
of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Contraction and convergence, based on reduction to equal 'per capita' levels of
carbon dioxide (CO2) green house gas emissions is Green Party policy and a most valuable principle to establish. The Green Party has the most stringent target for these emissions - 85-90%
cuts by 2045 - and a package of policies across the spectrum to enable us to meet this goal.
It is worth remembering that:
The Tories would meet our Kyoto commitments and Labour's 20% CO2 cuts target.
The Libdems see conservation as cutting demand by 30% by 2050, and renewables supplying 50% of electricity by then. They target emissions reductions of 50% within 40 years, and
foresee eventually a further halving.
But none of this is credible given the other Parties 'standard' economic growth targets of around 3% per annum, which means a doubling of production and consumption every 25 years.
Martin Hemingway
Contact details:
15 St Chads Drive,
Leeds LS6 3PZ.
Tel: 0113 2749159
Mobile: 07830249115 |
Headingley
Green Party