Thursday 13 September 2007

WWF believes the Conservatives face an acid test of their green credentials: namely whether they adopt some of the Commission's more radical policies and whether they push the government to strengthen the Climate Change Bill.

"On climate change the Quality of Life Commission has made a number of strong proposals which would help curb our rising carbon emissions in the UK," said Dr Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF-UK. "However the acid test will be whether the Conservatives put these policies into action. Crucially the Tories must press the government to ensure that the Climate Change Bill - a groundbreaking piece of legislation - sets an example that the rest of the world can follow. That means an 80% cut in emissions and the inclusion of emissions from aviation and shipping in the Bill."

WWF supports the Quality of Life Commission in underlining the importance of keeping the rise in average global temperatures below 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change. WWF also welcomes the group's proposals to change electricity tariff structures to reward people who conserve energy, rather than those who use more.