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Labour Party on Environment and Energy

The environment has emerged as a significant political issue in the late 20th and early 21st century. As the debate surrounding global warming continues, and the source of future energy becomes increasingly uncertain, the importance of the environment has risen on the agenda of all political parties. Issues include the importance and relevance of climate change, the appropriate policies to address human pollution, and the source of future energy.

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The issues

Labour Party strongly supports the idea that human pollution is a significant cause of global warming

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change: "Rising levels of greenhouse gases are directly linked to human activity like burning fossil fuels and clearing forests. There is a clear link between more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global warming."

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Labour Party strongly supports creating new nuclear power stations

"Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, announced the expansion of Britain's nuclear power capability yesterday in the face of opposition from environmentalists and concern from consumer groups, who warned fuel bills could rise to pay for building programme."

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"Ed Miliband's announcement of a huge expansion in nuclear power is the latest tug on the steering wheel in a massive U-turn since Labour came to office on an anti-nuclear platform…"

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Labour Party strongly supports the increased levying of ‘green’ taxes on air and car travel

"Gordon Brown has sought to establish his green credentials as he announced fuel and air duty increases in his 10th and possibly final pre-Budget report."

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"Taxes on flights from the UK will double, Chancellor Gordon Brown has announced, in most cases a rise to £10."

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Labour Party strongly supports the creation of so-called ‘eco towns’

"Ministers say every town must have at least 40% of its area as 'green space'. The Tories say they are 'an eco-con'. The Lib Dems call it an 'eco-gimmick'. The government intends to build up to ten eco-towns in England, which it says will be subject to the 'toughest ever green standards'."

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"Gordon Brown will attempt to trump David Cameron on green issues by announcing that he will create five new environmentally friendly towns when he becomes prime minister. The chancellor, now certain to succeed Tony Blair and enter No 10 on June 27, will tomorrow set out his plan to build 100,000 houses in the five eco-towns, likely to be dubbed 'Brown towns'."

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