Lib Dems launch Environment Manifesto

The Liberal Democrats have released a dedicated 'Environment Manifesto' reiterating their commitment to 'Five Green Laws'.


The 12-page document covers much of the same ground as the party’s manifesto; reaffirming pledges to decarbonise the electricity supply by 2030, boost the borrowing powers of the GIB and develop national centre of expertise for key green technologies. 

The party also plans to put Britain on track to be zero-emissions by 2050, and insulate every home in the UK to energy Band C by 2035. 

Writing in the foreword, Nick Clegg said: “We have fought tooth and nail to ensure this has been the greenest government ever.

“Tackling climate change and improving our environment is not just our moral duty. It makes hard-headed economic sense, too. The UK is now a world leader in the green economy – with huge potential for further growth.”

The Lib Dems are the second major party to release an environment-specific manifesto, following in the footsteps of Labour.

Lib Dem Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “We’ve delivered in the face of almost daily battles with the Tories on everything from onshore wind to keeping climate change in the geography curriculum.

“By putting our plan for five new Green Laws on the front of our manifesto we’ve shown our intent to go further and faster if we’re in the next Government.”

Business backing

The Environment Manifesto, released on Saturday, was followed by an open letter from 20 green-business leaders, entitled “Why we want the Lib Dems to play a part in the next government”.

Published in the Independent on Sunday, the letter claims that the Lib Dems have “consistently acted to make this country cleaner, greener and more open to investment in renewables”.

It says that £37bn has been invested in renewable energy, supporting 460,000 jobs and improving Britain’s energy security.

The letter concludes: “With the polls showing that another hung Parliament is likely, we hope – for the sake of the battle against climate change and for our environment – that any Coalition will include the Liberal Democrats.” 

Last week, a survey from the Renewable Energy Association revealed that the Lib Dems were viewed as the second best party for the industry after the Greens.

However, the survey also highlighted that 95% of renewable energy companies think the main political parties have failed to address the needs of the industry in their election campaigns.

edie’s quick round-up of all the election manifestos can be found here.

Brad Allen

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