Labour 'must improve green record'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The document "New Labour, New Environment?" is by leading academics and looks at Labour's green record since 1997.

It concludes that over the past decade the environment has mostly been a low priority for Labour, with the Blair government failing to respond effectively to mounting scientific warnings on climate change and biodiversity loss.

The report's authors, Dr Neil Carter from the Centre for Ecology, Law and Policy, University of York, and Dr David Ockwell, from the Sussex Energy Group, SPRU University of Sussex, urge Gordon Brown to seize the unprecedented window of opportunity that currently exists and to introduce tough and effective policies to tackle climate change and increase biodiversity protection.

But they also voice disappointment with the new Prime Minister's early actions because there has been "no indication that environmental concerns shaped the formation of his first Government."

The report, partially funded by Friends of the Earth, focuses on climate change and biodiversity loss and draws heavily on interviews with leading academics, politicians and environmentalists, who are widely quoted in the report.

Dr Carter said: "The science on climate change and biodiversity loss is clear, we have limited time to act if we are to prevent catastrophic impacts. Whilst there is evidence that politicians understand the science at least with regards to climate change, the policy response to date has been far from adequate."

Dr Ockwell added: "We need tough policies that respond to the urgency of the challenges. Government must stand up to short term vested interests and act instead for our long term well being.

"The bottom line here isn't just financial - the bottom line is that without urgent action on climate change and biodiversity we stand poised to put an end to life on Earth as we know it."

Tony Juniper, executive director of Friends of the Earth said: "Gordon Brown must make environmental issues a priority. We stand on the edge of a global catastrophe. Firm action from our political leaders is required, not warm words."