Lin Dems could win back voters with green actions, says poll

Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace press release

LIB DEMS COULD WIN BACK VOTERS BY DELIVERING ON GREEN PROMISES - NEW POLL

The Populus poll shows 55% of people who voted Liberal Democrat in 2010 would be more likely to vote for the party again if it took action to achieve carbon-free power in the UK by 2030.

In the last 24 hours, Labour Leader Ed Miliband has come out in support of the 2030 goal, which the independent Committee on Climate Change says is crucial for the UK to meet its legally binding carbon targets.

The poll also finds that 43% of Lib Dem voters in the last General Election would be more likely to vote Lib Dem again if the party opposed George Osborne’s planned ‘dash for gas’, which would break the UK’s climate change commitments.

Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“Today’s polling results should be crucial reading for Nick Clegg. This is a wake-up call for the Liberal Democrats that standing up to George Osborne’s reckless push for gas will win them back voters.

“Ed Davey’s Energy Bill must contain a clear target for decarbonising the UK electricity sector by 2030 in line with the Climate Change Committee’s advice.

“If the Energy Secretary does not face down the anti-green chancellor the country will fail to tackle climate change, create jobs or wean our economy off dirty and expensive fossil fuels and his party would be punished at the polling booth.”

The poll also shows that 72% of the general public think that renewable power should be prioritised in the forthcoming Energy Bill.

Greenpeace Political Advisor Joss Garman said:

“The Lib Dems have long sold themselves as being the greenest of the three main parties. In the coming weeks, Nick Clegg and Ed Davey will face their biggest environmental decisions to date, and this poll shows Lib Dem voters expect them to stick to their promises.

“The 2030 goal is crucial if the UK is to stabilise electricity bills, reduce emissions and drive job creation.”

Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace are calling for the Energy Bill to contain a clear decarbonisation target that would deliver clean electricity by 2030 in line with the advice of the Committee on Climate Change.

Danny Alexander has tabled a conference motion for Monday that calls on the Government to adopt a clear decarbonisation target.

George Osborne is opposed to any target and has spoken out in favour of gas while delivering tax breaks and other incentives to the gas industry. Rocketing gas prices contributed £100 to the average household electricity bill last year.

ENDS

Notes

1.  Populus interviewed 2,011 GB adults (including 429 adults who voted for the Liberal Democrats at the 2010 General Election) online between 19th and 21st September 2012. Results have been weighted to be representative of all GB adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For more information see www.populus.co.uk.

2.  The Committee on Climate Change wrote to the Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary Ed Davey on 13th September to ‘strongly urge’ him to include a 2030 decarbonisation target in the forthcoming Energy Bill: http://hmccc.s3.amazonaws.com/EMR%20letter%20-%20September%2012.pdf

4.  Joint NGO statement on the Energy Bill 2012: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/energy_jointngo_policy.pdf

3.  The Chancellor, George Osborne, has put pressure on Ed Davey to give a “clear, strong signal that we regard unabated gas as able to play a core part of our electricity generation to at least 2030 - not just providing back-up for wind plant or peaking capacity”: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/23/george-osborne-letter-ed-davey-gas-wind

4.  Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign, backed by Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal – causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85 per cent of people want the Government to back UK renewable power instead. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs. To find out more and back the campaign, visit www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk.

5.  For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. To find out more visit our website at www.foe.co.uk.

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