A radical environment manifesto

By Barry Gardiner MP

On Wednesday I outlined the ideals that shape my ideal of ‘Sustainable Living’ over on Left Foot Forward. Today I am launching my vision for Labour Party environmental policy; “Sustainable Living – A Radical Manifesto for 2015“

In it I outline a comprehensive set of policies and a new approach to the environment which I believe we must adopt in order to tackle the environmental and ecological challenges we face. These include:

Valuing ‘Natural Capital’ in government accounting systems

Mitigating the effects of climate change by:

– Improving energy efficiency
– Decarbonising energy sources
– Accelerating the development and deployment of new technologies
– Changing the attitude and behaviours of managers and consumers
– Preserving and expanding the worlds carbon sinks

Adapting to climate change by:

– Encouraging manufacturers and drivers to switch to electric vehicles
– Developing high speed rail between major UK cities
– Secure decent and sustainable livelihoods for our fishing communities and halt the ecological disaster that is taking place in our oceans
– Greening our homes through insulation and other efficiency measures

Those of us committed to this manifesto look to the return of a Labour government in 2015 for its fulfillment. Until then we will judge the actions of this government by the principles and policies we have set out here.Although detailed it is not all encompassing. It is a manifesto open to improvement.

Change and new ideas are welcome but only where they lead us more securely towards Sustainable Living. Please sign up to support the manifesto and leave any comments you may have here.