Press Release

UK political parties fall short of the Green Standard

A ground-breaking environmental audit into the main political parties' green credentials by a coalition of nine environmental organisations, including the Woodland Trust, has found that none of the major parties is truly matching words with actions.

Published in the run up to the party conference season, the report, How green are our parties? The Green Standard report, finds that none of the parties have yet implemented policy commitments and action on the scale required to meet the range and urgency of environmental threats we face.

Special Green Standard debates are scheduled at each of the political party conferences' Climate Clinic fringe events, starting with the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton.

The neglect of wildlife and the countryside is one of the report's main themes, calling for substance to back up the range of warm words coming from the main parties on green issues, confirms Dr James Cooper, Trust Head of Government Affairs.

"We are particularly disappointed by the lack of strong policy commitments by any major party to protect and enhance the countryside and wildlife,

"None have as yet committed to action on the scale needed to meet the range and urgency of the environmental threats we face,

"The Trust believes that all ancient and semi-natural UK habitats should be fully protected. Robust policy frameworks should be put in place to promote habitat restoration and re-creation if our irreplaceable ancient woodland and the wildlife that depends on it are to stand a chance in the face of climate change and development pressures."

The assessment is based on The Green Standard, a set of six robust environmental leadership tests developed in February by the coalition, led by the Green Alliance.

The report uses a 'traffic light system':

• Green to indicate support for both ambition and commitments

• Amber to indicate a mixed picture in relation to ambition and commitments

• Red to indicate where we are concerned by both the effect of a party's approach and a lack of positive commitments.

With no 'green lights', the gap between Conservative aspirations on the environment and their limited policy commitments is stark. The Labour government, despite displaying international leadership on climate change, is failing on its renewables and emissions targets and has failed to commit to implementing a Marine Bill and receives just one green light.

The Liberal Democrats get three green lights by offering the strongest set of policies on climate change, green taxation and green living.

All three parties, however, have failed to give sufficient attention to policies that will protect and enhance our countryside and wildlife.

Stephen Hale, Director of Green Alliance, said on behalf of the groups: "It is very disappointing that none of the three main parties are yet providing the leadership and action we need.

"The environmental ambitions of the parties are very welcome but all three must close the gap between rhetoric and delivery in the run-up to the next general election.

"The Liberal Democrats deserve praise for their approach to climate change. But, like other parties, they have neglected the countryside and wildlife agenda.

"The challenge for David Cameron is particularly acute, given diverging views in his own party.

"But the noises emanating from the Conservative Quality of Life Commission, and the Liberal Democrat proposals to make the UK carbon neutral by 2050, do appear to be examples of what is required from the opposition - and from Gordon Brown's government."

The report scores the parties on their record since the 2005 General Election and provides a benchmark for future assessments. Polling indicates the public is demanding more from their elected representatives.

For example, in a recent MORI poll 70 per cent agreed the government should take the lead in combating climate change, even if it means using the law to change people's behaviour; and in a separate government survey, of the issues people think government should be dealing with, the environment was the fourth most commonly mentioned behind crime, health and education.

Hale added: "Despite demands from business and the voting public, the environmental beauty contest between the parties has, to date, been characterised by too much spin - and too little substance.

"The Green Standard tests can be met but our political leaders must show greater courage and commitment."

 

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