Local Group tells politicians ‘stop ignoring aviation’ (Status: Press release)
‘GORDON BROWN’ will be standing outside Thame town hall next Saturday, when a local environmental group urges him and Boris Johnson MP to stop ignoring aviation’s contribution to carbon emissions.
Thame and chinnor Friends of the Earth – together with a life-size cardboard Prime Minister – will be drawing attention to the outside Thame town hall from 10am.
The group wants the Government?s new Climate Change Law to cover all sources of carbon dioxide emissions, including the UK?s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Boris Johnson, MP for the Henley constituency, will have the opportunity to vote on the law when it is debated in Parliament later this month.
Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth is taking action as part of a national day of action in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth?s campaign for a strong Climate Change law.
Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a strong Climate Change law through The Big Ask. The law, which is set to be introduced this summer, is groundbreaking but, says FOE, needs strengthening if the UK is to play its part in tackling climate change.
The Government?s proposed law does not count the UK?s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Friends of the Earth believes it is ludicrous to pretend these emissions don?t exist, and unfair to treat aviation and shipping any differently to other sectors of the economy. They say that the Government already publishes figures on aviation emissions and there is no practical reason why they can not be included from the outset. A way of including shipping emissions should be worked out as a matter of urgency says the group.
“Aviation is a fast growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions [1]. The impact of aviation emissions is double that of carbon dioxide alone because of other gases that planes pump out at altitude [2]”
The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth?s climate campaign, is calling on Boris Johnson to vote for a strong climate change law that:
*Includes the UK?s share of emissions from
international shipping and aviation
*Commits the UK to cutting its emissions by
80 per cent
*Ensures steady progress by cutting emissions
by at least 3 per cent a year
Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth Maureen Dyroff, supporter and local resident said:
?It?s crazy for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions from planes and ships from the new Climate Change Law but that?s what he is doing. Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry? We hope our MP, Boris Johnson, will use his vote to call for a strong Climate Change law that covers all emissions.
“Friends of the Earth?s Day of Action on Saturday, April 5, will be one of many inspiring events taking place during the Climate Change Bill Week of Action coordinated by Stop Climate Chaos/I Count, from March 30 to April 5, demanding a tough Climate Change law.
[1] Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions. www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics
[2] Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2002). The Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight (see www.rcep.org.uk/aviation.htm).
