The Foreign Secretary's speech on ridding the world of nuclear weapons today was "severely undermined" by the government's continued refusal to ditch plans to spend up to £100 billion on a replacement for Trident said Greenpeace.

John Sauven, Greenpeace executive director, said: "Until the government puts plans to replace Trident on hold, anything they say about ridding the world of nuclear weapons is severely undermined.

"Over 100 military and defence experts, backed by the Obama administration, are calling for a new global programme to eliminate nuclear weapons. But our government seems determined to scupper this major new initiative by replacing Trident and tying Britain into nuclear rearmament for the next forty years.

"Blowing billions on replacing a cold war relic like Trident is insane. It undermines efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and totally ignores the fact that the greatest long term security threat we face is climate change.

"This money could make the UK, and the world, a safer place by tackling these threats. But only if it is invested in real solutions, such as a transition to a low carbon economy as well as more investment in conflict resolution.”

The Foreign Secretary's speech comes as members of the military establishment are urging the government to review its decision to build a successor system to Trident.

Field Marshall Lord Bramall, a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lord Ramsbotham, a former Adjutant-General, and General Sir Hugh Beach, former Master General of the Ordinance, said in a letter to The Times printed last month that Trident had become "virtually irrelevant" and "it must be asked in what way, and against whom, our nuclear weapons could be used".

Last week Gen Jack Sheehan, a former Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic for Nato, backed their calls. In a BBC interview he said: "I think the UK is very close to saying we're the first permanent member of the Security Council to do away with nuclear weapons. I think it is entirely possible that the British government, for a lot of good reasons, could do it and it would lead the world." 

The Government have stated that they will spend up to £20bn in coming years to build new submarines, nuclear warheads and weapons infrastructure. However this £20bn figure does not include the systems' lifetime running costs. Nor does it include the major costs of redeveloping the Aldermaston and Burghfield nuclear weapons establishments or buying new American missiles. If you combine these total purchase and running costs the Trident replacement system will cost in total between £76bn and £100bn.

ENDS

Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8255.

Commenting on the UK government's carbon calculator launched today by Environment Secretary David Milliband, Greenpeace director John Sauven stated:

"The government is getting distracted producing web gimmicks when it should be focused on delivering results. CO2 emissions are rising - they are higher now than when Labour came to power. That's a damning indictment of a government that says this is the biggest problem we all face. A carbon calculator can be valuable to help people understand their individual contribution, but there are already many carbon calculators out there.

"The government needs to focus on the big ticket items. Switching off lights for example is a good idea but the government simply banning inefficient light bulbs would save enough energy to shut down two power stations. Bringing in minimum standards so that all appliances are A rated; stopping the numerous new inefficient dirty coal plants currently in planning; halting airport expansion: these are the things that the government should be doing to help tackle climate change."

For further information please contact Greenpeace Press Office on 0207 865 8255.

Greenpeace today called on the UK government to intervene after European proposals to make cars more fuel efficient were seemingly scuppered by auto-makers. The call comes after Brussels delayed a long-expected announcement on legislation that would force manufacturers to reduce emissions from Europe's cars. Just last week the EU warned that climate change threatens the continent with heat waves and rising sea levels.

EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas had this week intended to announce new measures forcing industry to reduce emissions of European cars to an average of 120g of CO2 per kilometre by 2012. The directive would have replaced the current failing voluntary agreement to reduce emissions to 140g/km by 2008/9. All but a few European car-makers will fail to reach the non-binding target.

The postponement of the announcement comes after Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen contradicted Dimas, telling a French newspaper that there would be no binding vehicle emission standards. European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is said to be seeking a 'consensus'. There are now serious concerns that industry involvement could see mandatory emissions cuts kicked into the long grass.

Greenpeace has now written to environment minister David Milliband asking him to clearly state his support for the mandatory measures. The German environment minister has today indicated that he supports the legislation.

Greenpeace climate campaigner Emily Armistead said: "Governments across Europe, most notably in Britain, claim to be greatly concerned about climate change. Well now is the time to stand up for simple sensible measures that would make an immediate difference. When it comes to emissions from cars, the European Commission has suddenly developed an environmental blind spot. Pressure from environment ministers across the continent could make a crucial difference."

She continued:

"Only last week the EU was warning us that climate change poses a catastrophic threat to the continent, but carbon dinosaurs like Guenter Verheugen threaten to scupper real action. David Milliband should join his German counterpart and speak up now."

Transport is the fastest growing source of emissions in Europe. Department for Transport figures estimate that an average UK fleet efficiency reduction to 120g/km together with a 10% reduction in passenger kilometres could put road transport on track to meet the governments CO2 reduction target of 60% by 2050. The current voluntary agreement, supported by Guenter Verheugen and industry lobbyists, is failing. The Commissions own assessment, based on 2004 data, was that 'the situation is not satisfactory'. Data for 2005 showed that reductions amounted to just 1% since 2004. Fleet average CO2 emissions of cars sold in 2005 stood at 162 g/km. The target is 140g/km by 2008.

The Commission has always claimed that such a failure was likely to lead to binding legislation for carmakers. On January 10th this year the EU committed to reducing of a greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020.

ENDS

Greenpeace press office - 0207 865 8255