Friends of the Earth report shows Government are failing on climate change

3.09.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Sep 2005

Figures from the Department of Trade and Industry, analysed by Friends of the Earth, show that emissions of the main greenhouse gas have risen by 5.5% since 1997, when they should be reducing by 1% a year.

The Kyoto agreement commits us to reducing emissions of six greenhouse gases to 12.5% below 1990 levels during the 2008-12 period. The Government then set itself a target of a 20% cut in 1997.

There is absolutely no excuse for missing the Kyoto target, the only reason it will be missed if it is missed will be the lack of political will shown by this Government.