Michael Howard attacked the government over climate change yesterday.

Addressing a conference organised by the Green Alliance, the Tory leader also criticised Tony Blair's inability to influence George Bush on the issue.

In a speech praised by the normally hostile green lobby, he proposed removing or reducing the stamp duty on house sales for energy-efficient premises.

He claimed that Tony Blair had failed "to follow up bold rhetoric with action that inspires trust" and accused the prime minister of lecturing people while presiding over rising emissions.

Blair will give a speech on the environment later today - a move which prompts the Independent to hand over its front page to a feature asking "How green is our PM?".