Chris Huhne

WARMEST EVER YEAR SHOWS NEED FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE – HUHNE

Commenting on Thursday’s Met Office prediction that 2007 is likely to be the warmest year on record globally, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

“This has to be the year we face up to the need for action, not just well-meaning words and impressive-sounding targets.

“The big test will be whether the Government reverses the cuts in green taxes that have taken place every year since 1999 and begins to use the tax system to help us change our behaviour.

“Without a serious effort to reduce the fast-growing emissions from cars and planes, the Government will not have a climate change programme worth talking about.

“But it is crucial in winning public support that every penny raised in green taxes on pollution goes back in tax cuts on good things like work, risk and effort. We should tax pollution not people, but we do not need higher taxes overall.”