Comment

The Kyoto Protocol is about to become legally binding at last, despite the re-elected Bush administration's continued intransigence. In the UK the Liberal Democrats plan to make the environment a key plank of their election manifesto and Charles Kennedy has called on Tony Blair to "focus specifically" on bringing the US into the international consensus on climate change - and the Protocol, especially while Britain hold the chair of the G8 in 2005.


The Conservatives have also been making political capital out of the US’ head in the sand attitude to climate change, mocking Blair’s “special relationship” with President Bush.

However, Blair has promised that in 2005 climate change will be his number one priority, despite his apparent failure to change Bush’s opinions in any discernible way. But unless either party experiences a sudden reversal in its political fortunes, Blair remains our best hope of changing the way the US administration thinks and acts on energy policy. I look forward to the photos of him cleaning the mud off Bush’s SUV as he uses his unique influence to move international action on climate change forward.

It’s your last chance to enter the Liveable Cities Awards, which have now been accredited by the RSA, allowing winners to be considered for the European Environmental Awards.

Environment Business is supporting the awards, which provide a fantastic opportunity for readers gain recognition for the excellent work their companies are doing in minimising impacts and improving both performance and profitability. Visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lca immediately for details.

Also, I have been asked to clarify that Angela Kelly, who set out her opposition to windfarms in last month’s issue, is the chair of Country Guardian, an anti-wind lobby group. We neglected to make that clear in the introduction to her article and I apologise for any confusion.

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