Mandatory climate targets only way for Blair to prove he's serious

12.00.00am GMT Mon 7th Nov 2005

The annual World Energy Outlook report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) published today has predicted that global greenhouse gas emissions will rise by 52% by 2030 unless the world takes action to reduce energy consumption.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary Norman Baker MP said:

"This report makes for worrying reading. Mr Blair cannot claim to take the environment seriously unless he secures an agreement from the G8 that mandatory, enforceable national targets are essential for the future of our planet.

"Firstly, he needs to be clear that we are not willing to move at the pace of the slowest - namely the Bush administration. If they are not willing to sign up to sensible international agreements, we will need to assemble a coalition of countries who are.

"Secondly, he needs to show leadership and urgency in ensuring that we properly tackle the environmental impact of aviation in the European Union. We need to ensure that the aviation industry is covered by the EU emissions trading scheme by 2008 at the latest."

"Thirdly, we urgently need the G8 to make sure that we set mandatory national targets beyond the 2012 Kyoto agreement."