GOVERNMENT FAILING TO MEET TARGETS IN A 'SPECTACULAR FASHION'

7.43.03pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th May 2006

Air travel is one of the biggest contributers to carbon pollution

An EU scheme to cut greenhouse gases undermined incentives for countries to pollute less, a report revealed today. The survey of the Union's emissions trading scheme (ETS) revealed major shortcomings in the initiative. Under the scheme, power stations, refineries and heavy industry across Europe were given a limit on how much CO2 they could emit. However, figures show that countries across Europe were given too many pollution allowances or permits by their governments, reducing incentives to cut pollution.

Congleton Campaigner Simon Davey who also works with Chris Davies MEP, Chair of the EU's Environment Committee commented:

"The Government has become far too complacent about climate change, and has failed to use levers, such as green taxation, which can deliver less pollution. Green taxes have been falling as a share of the economy since 2000, and are now lower than they were under the last Tory government. The undershoot in other EU member states shows that many targets are not ambitious enough. The Government should press the Commission to tighten targets where they are too lax."