Key points:

• The Stern report strips away the final argument for doing nothing: the science is clear, and now so is the economics. We cannot afford not to act now to combat climate change.

• The Liberal Democrats are putting forward substantial proposals to reduce carbon emissions – in particular through a Green Tax Switch – increasing taxes on pollution and the production of greenhouse gases, and handing the money back in income tax cuts.

• It is good that the Government and the Conservatives now finally recognise the need for stronger action to tackle climate change. But warm words are not enough. They urgently need to move from targets and rhetoric to backing real practical action.

• “Greenpeace found that labour scored only 38% in a challenge on climate change – just one point ahead of the Tories on 37%. The Liberal Democrats came top with 61%” - (Greenpeace in the Guardian 24/04/05)

Climate change - Action needed

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