UK Climate News - 29 October 2007

A new transport strategy, to be announced by the government tomorrow (Tuesday), will see a huge increase in emissions of greenhouse gases because the government will still not stand up to the aviation industry, according to Greenpeace. The document is expected to fail to rule out new runways and airports but support bringing aviation into the European Emissions Trading Scheme by 2012 and call for increased use of existing runways. Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:"When it comes to aviation and climate change this government becomes detached from reality. Bringing planes into the emissions trading scheme will ensure its business as usual for Labour's friends in the aviation industry. Without blocking plans for new runways well continue to tinker ineffectively with Britain's fastest growing source of emissions."He continued:"Any carbon savings from personal travel plans and tweaking road policy will be wiped out many times over by flights from British airports. Even France's President Sarkozy has ruled out aviation expansion, so why can't our government?"For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 0207 865 8255.  

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