Chris Huhne

IPCC REPORT WILL SHOW NEED FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE – HUHNE

Commenting ahead of the publication by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report on the science of climate change, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

“This report will make clear the urgency of our predicament on climate change. This has to be the year we face up to the need for action. More well meaning words and impressive sounding targets simply will not do.

“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.

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

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