Monday 14 July 2008

Since 2002, the ECGD - the UK government body responsible for underwriting British industry overseas - has supported business interests worth £12.5 billion.

The majority of this sum has been invested in carbon heavy sectors - such as the airline industry, or in the exploration, production and transport of oil and gas.

However, until now there has been no policy in place requiring any transparency regarding the carbon emissions of ECGD-supported projects.

But the government announced last night that it will publicly report figures on these emissions in future.

"WWF warmly welcomes the fact that the government has recognised the need for the ECGD to address the greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with its activities," said head of campaigns at WWF-UK, David Norman.

"It's an excellent first step towards bringing the department in line with the government's apparent desire to be seen as a leader on climate change. However, further efforts will be needed in order to translate future emissions reporting into the ECGD actively contributing to efforts to combat climate change - namely by making sure that the projects it supports in future are environmentally sustainable ones," he explained.

If everyone used natural resources and generated carbon emissions at the rate we do in the UK we would need three planets to support us. The way we live is leading to environmental threats such as climate change, species extinction, deforestation, water shortages and the collapse of fisheries. WWF-UK's One Planet Future campaign is working to help people live a good quality of life within the Earth's capacity.

For more information visit www.wwf.org.uk/oneplanet