Government failing to hit targets as Carbon Dioxide emissions fall by just 0.1%

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 31st Jan 2008

Climate Change

Greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.5% in the UK last year, new figures showed today. The figures, released by Defra, showed that carbon dioxide levels, which make up about 85% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, stayed virtually the same, with a 0.1% fall.

Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson said "The Government is completely failing to match its rhetoric with actions. Although ministers made good early progress, this has now slowed to a snail's pace. This year, carbon emissions fell by a measly 0.1%. Ministers must work to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewables as well as reducing Britain's dependency on the car. Unless the Government gets a grip, our country looks sets to fail on its environmental targets."