Cross-party political consensus is vital if we are to address our environmental challenges, so CIWEM welcomes the new Conservative-Liberal coalition.
Many of the environmental policies outlined by the new Government have been lobbied for through CIWEM’s ground-breaking manifesto, Fitting the Bill. The Institution especially welcomes their promise to create a low carbon economy through the creation of a green investment bank, feed in tariffs, a smart grid and the roll-out of smart meters, as well as their transport policies, such as the introduction of high speed rail. And the replacement of the air passenger duty with a per flight duty sends a clear signal on the environmental impacts on aviation. CIWEM also welcomes the appointment of Chris Huhne MP as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and Caroline Spelman as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
However, CIWEM believes the Government must go further and create a low carbon society. CIWEM believes that the environment has to play a fundamental role in our economy, education and agriculture, allowing us to live within environmental limits. The Government must also address issues surrounding biodiversity, waste and continue with the development of a comprehensive water bill, none of which were mentioned in the coalition deal.
CIWEM’s Executive Director, Nick Reeves, says: “The importance of the new Government adopting a strong stance on environmental issues cannot be overstated. Strong political leadership is required to face issues such as the overexploitation of resources, species extinction, population growth and climate change. We also hope that any commitment to nuclear first resolves the issue of what to do with nuclear waste and that it doesn't undermine a wholesale commitment to renewable energy.”
“The environment cannot continue to be sidelined in the manner it was during the parties’ campaigns. Whilst the economy and banking crisis are clearly important issues requiring immediate actions, they are dwarfed in their potential impacts by what climate change could bring about in the future. The new Government is in a unique position: it can set the UK onto a trajectory of an adaptable, low-carbon society; or it can go down in history as the Government that failed to act in time. The public will look to this Government for strong leadership; it is not the time for procrastination.”
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is an independent professional body and a registered charity, advancing the science and practice of water and environmental management for a clean, green and sustainable world.
Fitting the Bill: A Manifesto for Environmental Action is available to download on http://www.ciwem.org/policy/policies/manifesto09.pdf
Source: CIWEM
