2 November 2006 - Plans for the future of the South-East’s economy launched this week by SEEDA (The South-East England Development Agency) will increase congestion and pollution – and make it harder for the region to cope with the effects of climate change, its authors have admitted.

A Sustainability Appraisal of the South-East’s R egional Economic Strategy (RES) – a guide to the region’s economic development over the next twenty years calling for an annual increase in the region’s economy of three per cent – warned the plans would have a negative impact on air quality, congestion, especially from lorries, greenhouse gas emissions, and the region’s ability to cope with the likely effects of climate change.

The region’s Green Party Euro-MP, Caroline Lucas, condemned the findings.

She said: “Greens worked hard to try to ensure SEEDA’s planners took climate change, congestion and poor air quality into account when developing the RES – but it seems they haven’t taken the slightest notice.

“The truth is these are all quality of life issues and SEEDA’s failure to take them into account effectively is a shameful indictment for which the people of the South-East will pay the price.”

“Being published in the same week as the Stern Report into the economic effects of global warming it fills me with despair that the Regional Economic Strategy for South East England does not do more to reduce our ecological footprint”

“The Sustainability Appraisal of the strategy underlines that if the growth targets are met carbon emissions will rise and not fall, traffic congestion and pollution will worsen and the region will not be prepared for the effects of global warming.

“Further the strategy does not deliver improvements in Biodiversity conservation and enhancement, in the water quality of rivers and coasts or achieving sustainable water resources management or reducing the risk of flooding.

“Neither does it make identifiable progress on reducing waste generation and disposal, or ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent sustainably constructed and affordable home.”

Dr Lucas added: “There are many great ideas in the Strategy, but for as long as we have unrestricted economic growth as the number one target the environment and people’s quality of life will play second fiddle. As the Stern Report has graphically illustrated, doing nothing to combat climate change now will cost us dear in the long run. The Strategy has missed an opportunity to tackle the country’s number one challenge, and SEEDA’s own appraisal admits as much.”

ENDS