Campaigners urge Chancellor to facilitate “green revolution”
Monday 24 November 2008
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| Friends of the Earth are hoping that the government invest in renewable energy projects such as this E.ON wind farm near Ceredigion, Wales |
Green campaign group Friends of the Earth has urged the Government to emulate US President-Elect Barack Obama and invest in renewable energy as part of a "green industrial revolution".
The appeal came ahead of Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget report which is due to be announced in Parliament this afternoon.
Friends of the Earth (FoE) said that the government must use the report to lift Britain out of recession and end fuel poverty by investing in new green industries and cutting energy waste.
The organisation appealed to the government to announce a range of measures to develop renewable power and improve energy efficiency in transport, manufacturing and buildings.
Pre-Budget report
It is believed that Mr Darling will announce a number of measures to stimulate the UK economy, including a boost in government spending in public works such as schools, hospitals or wind farms.
FoE said that by stimulating the environmental economy, the government could "help start a green industrial revolution", creating job and business opportunities as well as cutting fuel bills and reducing the UK's dependence on fossil fuels.
Friends of the Earth's executive director, Andy Atkins, said: "A huge investment in clean, green energy and cutting energy waste is urgently needed to boost our flagging economy and tackle climate change. The Government's Pre-Budget Report must be the catalyst for a fresh approach to both the economy and environment.
Low carbon economy
A huge investment in clean, green energy and cutting energy waste is urgently needed
The environmental campaign group cited Barack Obama as an example for Mr Darling, as the US President-Elect announced plans to create five million "green collar" jobs by investing billions of dollars in clean energy.
Mr Atkins continued: "The development of a low carbon economy would create exciting new business opportunities and tens of thousands of green collar jobs - as well as cutting fuel bills and reducing our reliance on the yo-yo costs and mounting insecurity of fossil fuels such as oil and gas."
Today's pre-Budget report will be the first since the Government agreed to an 80% cut in greenhouse gases in its Climate Change Bill.Friends of the Earth said: "The Government must now take the steps needed to achieve this target."
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