Monday 3 October 2005

The week began with revelations that Tony Blair was "changing his thinking" on international treaties limiting carbon dioxide emissions. The annual conference offers many opportunities to catch up with senior government advisers, and they were keen to give WWF absolute assurances that the government remained firmly behind the Kyoto Protocol as the basis for future global negotiations. But environmental campaigners were left wondering why the Prime Minister had reportedly chosen words that would take the pressure off President Bush and his position on climate change

WWF's political staff then turned their attention to the new EU Chemicals Regulation known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), which is being discussed and revised by the European Parliament and the European Commission. We have campaigned strongly for the new Regulation to require the worst chemicals used in household products being replaced with safer alternatives, and chemicals which can disrupt hormone processes in the body to be strictly regulated.

We joined representatives of the chemicals industry at a breakfast with John Hutton, Cabinet Office Minister, and we met DTI Minister Lord Sainsbury, who has pleased industry lobbyists by confirming that the government has accepted a watered-down draft regulation. The UK is abandoning its position on vital measures requiring the mandatory replacement of chemicals of "very high concern" (such as hormone disrupters) with safer alternatives. This is deeply disappointing; WWF is pressing MEPs to hold fast against all efforts to weaken the regulation.

The Prime Minister's conference speech also signalled a re-opening of the debate on nuclear power in the UK. WWF is opposed to new nuclear power: quite apart from problems with radioactive waste, nuclear power will require government support that would reduce investment in rapidly evolving renewable energy sources. Tony Blair's speech will, we believe, undermine investment in wave power and other clean energy technologies.