LABOUR MANIFESTO 'GREENER THAN TORIES' SAY FOE
"This is the greenest general election manifesto ever produced by the Labour Party,although there are significant omissions. It is much stronger on environmental programmes, and reveals a deeper understanding of environmental priorities, than the Conservative manifesto published yesterday. It is full of general policy commitments to green energy, industry, agriculture, and international institutions that should be sweet music to the ears of environmentalists all over the country. Friends of the Earth warmly welcomes Labour's recognition that environmental priorities must be fully integrated with all other policy areas, and the environmental agenda must be delivered across Westminster and Whitehall. We are pleased that the public health, jobs and export opportunities of cutting pollution and conserving resources are clearly spelled out and that Labour will regulate to clean up the environment. But it is not all good news. There are significant omissions, a worrying lack of detail and a weasly choice of words in some areas, notably over transport priorities and green tax reform. It is a big mistake not to have set goals to reduce traffic levels or guarantee environmental rights for all citizens. We do not understand how Labour can meet its strong CO2 reduction target, while lowering energy prices by reducing VAT on fuel use to 5%. FOE also regrets the lack of more specific targets and timetables to cut pollution and waste,similar to its welcome commitment to cut CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010. For Labour to fulfill its promise to be 'the greenest Government yet' it must set out detailed policy goals,backed up by specific tax, expenditure and regulatory action programmes. [Index]
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