Following on from Labour’s publication of its green policies last week, the Liberal Democrats have set out in more details its plans in its Environment Manifesto.
The document reiterates that the Liberal Democrats would introduce five new environmental laws in government on protecting nature, green transport, zero carbon Britain, green building and resource efficiency and zero waste. These were previously set out in its full manifesto.
If it introduces a Resource Efficiency and Zero Waste Britain Act, the Liberal Democrats would:
- Commission a ‘Stern Report’ on resource efficiency which will be conducted by the Natural Capital Committee (NCC)
- Task the NCC with recommending legally binding targets for reducing the consumption of natural resources, and introduce incentives for businesses to improve resource efficiency
- Increase penalties for waste crimes
- Statutory recycling targets of 70% of waste in England
- Regulation to promote design of products or parts that can be repaired, reused and recycled.
Energy & Climate Change Secretary in the last government Ed Davey said: “Protecting the environment, tackling climate change and delivering on the green agenda isn’t nice to have, it’s essential and it’s in the Lib Dems’ DNA.
“In government, we had a proud record of delivery, from nearly tripling electricity from renewables, to making more than 1 million homes warmer and cheaper to heat and securing an ambitious EU-wide agreement on tackling climate change.
“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.
“Having Lib Dems in government will insure our environment against the risk of sharp lurches to the left or right that would result in our green delivery coming to a grinding halt.”
