Responding to the publication of the Government's National Allocation Plan for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, Greenpeace Executive Director Stephen Tindale said:
"Tony Blair should have stuck to his guns. Just days after calling global warming the greatest problem we face, he's retreating in the face of a little light lobbying from business. On the same day new evidence of global warming is published, Mr Blair is sending out all the wrong signals. You have to wonder how he's going to take the really tough decisions on climate when he can't even get the easy ones right."
Stephen Tindale added:
"Still, it has to be said the British Government is not the worst offender. Other European states have proposed even looser caps. It's now essential that the EU Commission does its job in ensuring tight caps for all so that the emissions trading scheme - universally recognised as the most cost effective way of making carbon reductions - really works."
The May 6 DEFRA announcement states: "The overall number of allowances to be allocated in the first phase of the scheme is consistent with an initial reduction in UK carbon dioxide emissions of 15.2% on 1990 levels by 2010."
For more contact Greenpeace on 020 7865 8255
