28 October 2008 - Green MEP for the South East and Party Leader Dr Caroline Lucas has welcomed the Government’s expected announcement on its amended Climate Change Bill, but warns that its commitment to expanding aviation and to ‘buying in’ emissions reductions from abroad amount to a ‘double blunder’.

She commented: "The news that the Government is approving the inclusion of aviation and shipping emissions in its Climate Bill targets marks a real achievement for green campaigners – and a promising sign that, at long last, ministers might be starting to take their environmental responsibilities seriously.

"Yet while I welcome these amendments to the Bill, even more dramatic cuts in CO2 are needed throughout the rest of the domestic economy to bring climate policy in line with climate science.

"Sadly, the Government’s carbon addiction looks set to result in more UK airport capacity and a fleet of new coal-fired power stations. But of course, that doesn’t matter to the Government because carbon trading will effectively allow it to outsource its ecological debt to other countries – ‘buying in’ emissions reductions from abroad and thus allowing for a business as usual approach at home."

Dr Lucas concluded: "If we are serious about meeting UK and EU targets on climate emissions, we must halt airport expansion and make the profound cuts needed in emissions here at home, as well as – not instead of – supporting emissions reductions in developing countries.

"Ultimately, we must make a major transition away from fossil fuels now by investing in energy efficiency measures and a renewable energy revolution."

ENDS