The party, which is holding its annual conference in Brighton this week, unveiled the 10-point action plan as part of a climate change policy paper debated by delegates on Monday.

Other ambitions include phasing out nuclear electricity, getting petrol cars off the roads by 2040, and increasing green taxes – the revenue from which would be used to reduce income tax.

The paper sets out a long-term strategy that aims to limit the average global temperature increase to within two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

It also highlighted the need for a coordinated international response to climate change, led by developed countries such as the UK.

During Monday’s debate, delegates voted to retain a controversial proposal in the paper rejecting a new generation of power stations.

A bid to delete another target requiring at least 10% of all fuel sold on UK forecourts to come from renewable sources by 2015 also failed when put to a vote.

Other proposals include introducing “green mortgages” to enable people to make their homes more energy efficient, and increasing investment in railways, which would be paid for by introducing motorway tolls for lorries.

The paper also pledged to boost flood defences and develop a UK plan to respond to the effects of climate change, if the Liberal Democrats come into power.

Kate Martin

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