ENVIRONMENTAL groups in the West Midlands have called on all political parties to strengthen their policies to protect the climate and reinstate the UK as a leader in the global race to a green economy.
So far, the climate and nature crises have failed to feature as a priority issue throughout the election campaign, despite recent surveys showing more than four in five people are concerned about climate change and over two thirds have said it would influence how they voted at the ballot box.
A new joint analysis of political party manifestos carried out by Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth has shown that Labour’s plans for climate and nature scores four times higher than the Conservatives.
The green groups warn, however, that if elected, the party must draw up much bolder plans to ensure the UK’s domestic and global environmental targets are met and it can fully reap the economic rewards offered by the green transition.
Analysis evaluated the four manifestos against 40 policy recommendations published last autumn by the organisations. The Green Party scored highest with 39 out of 40, followed by the Liberal Democrats at 32, Labour at 21 and the Conservatives, bottom with five.
Four categories
Scores were also broken down into four categories – climate and energy, homes and transport, nature and environment, and justice and democracy.
For stating its intention to reduce the UK’s dependence on oil and gas, and boost renewables to strengthen energy security, create jobs and cut bills, the analysis found Labour scored well.
It has also committed to meeting the internationally-agreed target to reduce carbon emissions by two-thirds by 2030 and empowering local authorities to deliver a green transition through improved public transport and local nature protection.
But, the green groups have said, the party has failed to commit to the scale of funding needed for greener farming, cheaper public transport or energy efficient homes. It has also stayed quiet on upholding the right to protest, despite the Conservative government’s recent legislative crackdown via the Criminal Justice Bill.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party’s plan has committed to licensing new fossil fuel projects on an annual basis, ban measures to clean up toxic air, and the removal of ‘red tape’ when it comes to protecting the environment.
Both the Greens and Lib Dems suggest they are prepared to borrow more to fund home energy efficiency upgrades, the switch to electric heating and nature restoration – all of which would create new jobs and help reduce the cost of living.
While the Lib Dems offer a stronger plan than Labour on sewage pollution through taxing water company profits and setting more stringent legal targets, the party fails to commit to ending new oil and gas projects, the green groups said.
Greenpeace’s view on the manifestos
Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Rebecca Newsom, said: “This ranking exposes the good, the bad and the ugly, when it comes to the environmental pledges on offer.
“While the Greens and Lib Dems showcase what can be done to deliver a green and prosperous future with enough political will, it’s the stark chasm between the two main parties that’s most telling.
“Labour sets out a clear vision with lower bills and clean energy, while generating hundreds of thousands of jobs and cutting emissions.
“Meanwhile, the Conservatives’ divisive proposal will deliver the very opposite.
“The manifestos of the two main parties provide a glimpse into the possible worlds that voters will choose to inherit next month.
“And, when it comes to climate leadership and supporting workers and communities to benefit from the green transition, there’s a clear and obvious choice.”
Visit the two groups’ websites – at friendsoftheearth.uk or greenpeace.org.uk – for more on the manifestos research.
