As new figures showed sales of 4x4 vehicles dipping for the first time, Greenpeace urged Tony Blair to enact proposals to tax polluting vehicles more heavily. A total of 105,196 new SUVs were sold in the first seven months of 2006 compared with 106,732 in January-July 2005.

Ken Livingstone recently proposed charging 4x4 owners £25 a day for the London congestion charge, while the Commons' Environmental Audit Committee this month suggested £1800 road tax for gas guzzlers. The possibility of these charges appears to have slowed the trend for polluting vehicles, but Greenpeace is worried that the fashion for gas guzzlers will again take root if the proposals are not enacted.

Emily Armistead of Greenpeace said: "The most polluting vehicles, like many makes of 4x4, are spewing huge quantities of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere causing climate change. It's encouraging that sales of 4x4s have slowed for the first time, it shows Britain may at last be turning its back on climate-wrecking cars as scientists warn that global warming poses a huge threat to the planet. But tens of thousands of urban 4x4s are still sold every year in Britain. Tony Blair should enact proposals from backbench MPs to tax these polluting vehicles more heavily so they are driven off our roads completely."

Greenpeace's gas guzzler campaign saw fake wheel-clamps put on polluting 4x4s. Last year thirty Greenpeace volunteers shut down the Range Rover assembly line in Solihull. Last month Greenpeace released a controversial film advertisement designed to satirise manufacturers' ads that paint 4x4s as aspirational vehicles.

Ken Hurst, editorial director of The Manufacturer Magazine, told PA: "It may be that 4x4s are going out of fashion. Possibly children who once saw the vehicles as status symbols now feel ashamed when they are dropped off at the school gates."

For more contact Greenpeace press office - 020 7865 8255

A London traffic jam

Commenting on the launch of Mayor Livingstone's public consultation on the creation of a Low Emission Zone in London, Greenpeace campaigner Mark Strutt said:

"Greenpeace strongly supports the proposal for a Low Emissions Zone in London. By addressing the severe environmental problems caused by road traffic, Transport for London is showing commendable international leadership. As well as improving air quality, a LEZ is likely to encourage the use of less polluting, more fuel efficient vehicles. Over time this will help reduce climate changing carbon dioxide emissions and build on the progress already made with the Congestion Charge, which has led to a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide from traffic in the zone."

Public consultation begins this week on revisions to the Mayor's transport and air quality strategies to allow for proposals for a the London-wide zone. The consultation will run for 12 weeks. The proposal aims to improve London's air quality by encouraging operators of large vehicles to clean-up their fleets. From 2008, lorries, coaches and buses that fail to meet a minimum pollution standard face having to pay a charge if they drive high-polluting vehicles within Greater London.

Mark Strutt added:

"More fuel efficient vehicles and reduced levels of congestion benefit local air quality and quality of life as well as addressing the biggest issue we face - climate change. Greenpeace urges Transport for London and the Mayor to continue to bring in progressive policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and urges other large cities in the UK and around the world to follow suit."

For more, contact Greenpeace on 0207 865 8255.

exhaust

Greenpeace today welcome the announcement that London's congestion charge zone will be extended to the Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea areas.

Campaigner Mark Strutt said:

"Ken Livingstone should be congratulated. In a week when scientists warned us about the catastrophic effects of climate change, anything that can get people out of their cars and onto public transport deserves everybody's support. The existing charge scheme has been a great success, despite opponents claiming it would be a failure. Already other cities are looking to copy the London scheme. Many millions of Londoners are rightly proud that their city is leading the world by reducing traffic and the pollution it causes."

Since the introduction of the congestion charge in February 2003:

• Greenhouse gas emissions in the zone have been reduced by almost 20%.
  
• Pollutants that adversely affect Londoner's air quality and health have fallen by 12%.
  
• Congestion in the charging zone has fallen by 30%.
  
• More than 300,000 people have died as a result of climate change (World Health Organisation figures).

Mark Strutt added: "Congestion charging in London is working. Dangerous global warming emissions in the zone have been cut by almost 20% in the last two years. Not only should the charging zone be extended in London, it should also be adopted nationally. Congestion charging makes London a better place to live and work. With Tony Blair failing to take any action despite 150,000 people dying from climate change every year, it is good to see the Mayor of London has the guts to do something that will have a real effect in reducing greenhouse gas pollution."

Once the western extension is operational, the finish time for charging within the whole of the charging area in London will be brought forward from 6.30pm on weekdays to 6pm. Charging will begin in the new area from February 2007.

For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255 or 07801 212967.

exhaust pipe

Greenpeace volunteers confronted Chelsea residents opposing the congestion charge with the message 'Save the climate - Congestion charging works'.

The message was unfurled in West London, just off Kensington High Street, on a seven metre long banner as a convoy of cars from one of London's richest areas started their protest to call for a halt to the planned extension of the congestion charging zone.

Greenpeace volunteers handed out leaflets containing a congestion charge quiz to the fleet and public.

Since the introduction of the congestion charge in February 2003:

• Greenhouse gas emissions in the zone have been reduced by almost 20%
  
• Pollutants that adversely affect Londoners' air quality and health have fallen by 12%
  
• Congestion in the charging zone has fallen by 30%
  
• Over 300,000 people have died as a result of climate change

Mark Strutt, Greenpeace climate campaigner, said: "Congestion charging in London is working. Dangerous global warming emissions in the zone have been cut by almost 20% in the last two years.

"Not only should the charging zone be extended in London, it should also be adopted nationally. Congestion charging makes London a better place to live and work.

"There's no time for selfish arguments from car drivers while 150,000 people are dying from climate change every year."

Transport for London is currently planning to increase the charge from £ to £ and to extend the charging zone further west.

Greenpeace supports both measures and is also calling for a £20 charge for gas-guzzling cars like 4X4s, to help combat climate change.

For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255 or 07717 704 577.