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Government publishes climate change command paper

29 Oct 2007

Environmental Audit Committee suggests appointment of Minister for Climate Change

Responding to the publication of the Command Paper for the Climate Change Bill and the Environmental Audit Committee report on the Structure of Government and Climate Change, John Sauven , Executive Director of Greenpeace said:

"Stiff targets on climate change are to be welcomed, but need to be backed with robust delivery on the ground. Changing government structures will not deliver the political commitment that is needed. Brown needs to have an entire cabinet that is determined to deliver decentralised energy systems, large scale renewable energy and reduce energy waste.  

"The government's recent reaction to a challenging EU renewable energy target does not bode well – instead of getting on with the job, their first instinct was to water it down. This shows an urgent need for a change of attitude and commitment - not just targets and new bodies."

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MPs call for law to ban illegal timber imports

19 Jan 2006
Greenpeace blockades DEFRA in protest at illegal rainforest timber imports

Greenpeace blockades DEFRA in protest at illegal rainforest timber imports

Illegal timber 'a fact of life within the UK timber trade' says committee

MPs from across the political spectrum today called for urgent legislation banning imports of illegal timber into the UK. They say new laws are needed to protect the world's forests and warn that 'time is running out.'

The demand came in a report by the all party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which was evaluating progress on the issue since it completed an inquiry in 2002. The committee today stated that 'illegal timber is currently a fact of life within the UK timber trade.'

Greenpeace forests campaigner Pat Venditti said: "The MPs are absolutely right, without new laws to stop illegally logged timber flooding into the UK this country will continue to fuel the market in a trade that's catastrophic for the environment. The report sets down clear action the government must take in order to protect the worlds last forests. With green issues dominating party politics its now time to see how seriously Tony Blair takes this issue."

The Committee said it would like to see the current rules on timber procurement extended from central government to local authorities and other governmental bodies. The MPs also said there should be a requirement for government bodies to purchase only sustainable rather than just legal timber. Ministers should also continue to push for legislation in Europe, the report said.

For more contact the Greenpeace press office on 0207 865 8255