environmental policy

Summary

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has publicly stated that tackling climate change and African poverty are to be his two top priorities during the UK's presidencies of the G8 and the EU. Blair has repeatedly spoken of his climate change commitments while failing to reduce the UK's climate changing CO2 emissions since coming to power in 1997. In the run up to the G8 in July, Blair needs to match his rhetoric with action.

Summary

Britain's homes are responsible for 28% of our CO2 emissions. The average UK home emits more than a car a year. The government is embarking on a massive new house building programme over the coming years which presents a prime opportunity to reverse this trend. If the government is serious about tackling climate change, it needs to adopt tough new standards to make sure the nation's new homes are part of the solution, not adding to the problem.

Summary

The UK nuclear industry, its regulators, government agencies and policy advisory bodies have in recent years attempted to change policies and activities related to nuclear waste management. Many of these have failed in gaining public support. This lack of confidence is, Greenpeace believes, due primarily to the fact that the policies and their implementation are not based on clear environmental principles.

This Greenpeace briefing highlights the major failures in current policy, and addresses possible solutions.

Summary

Top state aid and competition experts, Paul Lasok QC and Rebecca Haynes, advised Greenpeace that the Government cannot pass its planned Energy Bill without EC approval because it may breach European rules on state aid.

Download the full advice.