This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6242927.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Blair defends long-haul holidays Blair defends long-haul holidays
(about 4 hours later)
Tony Blair has said he will not give up long-haul holiday flights - and said a green agenda should not lead to people feeling they cannot have a "good time".Tony Blair has said he will not give up long-haul holiday flights - and said a green agenda should not lead to people feeling they cannot have a "good time".
The prime minister, just back from Florida, told Sky News science could allow responsible economic growth.The prime minister, just back from Florida, told Sky News science could allow responsible economic growth.
He warned against "putting people off the green agenda by saying you must not have a good time anymore".He warned against "putting people off the green agenda by saying you must not have a good time anymore".
Greenpeace said he had to set an example, while Friends of the Earth called his comments "disappointing". Greenpeace said he should be setting an example, while Friends of the Earth called his comments "disappointing".
'Energy efficiency''Energy efficiency'
Asked whether he would give up long-haul flights, Mr Blair said: "I personally think these things are a bit impractical actually to expect people to do that.Asked whether he would give up long-haul flights, Mr Blair said: "I personally think these things are a bit impractical actually to expect people to do that.
It's like telling people you shouldn't drive anywhere Tony BlairIt's like telling people you shouldn't drive anywhere Tony Blair
"I think that what we need to do is to look at how you make air travel more energy efficient, how you develop the new fuels that will allow us to burn less energy and emit less."I think that what we need to do is to look at how you make air travel more energy efficient, how you develop the new fuels that will allow us to burn less energy and emit less.
"How - for example - in the new frames for the aircraft, they are far more energy efficient.""How - for example - in the new frames for the aircraft, they are far more energy efficient."
He added: "You know, I'm still waiting for the first politician who's actually running for office who's going to come out and say it (that people should not fly) - and they're not.He added: "You know, I'm still waiting for the first politician who's actually running for office who's going to come out and say it (that people should not fly) - and they're not.
"It's like telling people you shouldn't drive anywhere.""It's like telling people you shouldn't drive anywhere."
Demands placed on people had to be reasonable to prevent putting people off climate change sacrifices altogether, Mr Blair added.Demands placed on people had to be reasonable to prevent putting people off climate change sacrifices altogether, Mr Blair added.
'Realistic''Realistic'
He said: "Britain is 2% of the world's emissions. We shut down all of Britain's emissions tomorrow - the growth in China will make up the difference within two years.He said: "Britain is 2% of the world's emissions. We shut down all of Britain's emissions tomorrow - the growth in China will make up the difference within two years.
"So we've got to be realistic about how much obligation we've got to put on ourselves."So we've got to be realistic about how much obligation we've got to put on ourselves.
"The danger, for example, if you say to people 'Right, in Britain, you know, you're not going to have any more cheap air travel', everybody else is going to be having it."The danger, for example, if you say to people 'Right, in Britain, you know, you're not going to have any more cheap air travel', everybody else is going to be having it.
"So you've got to do this together and you've got to do it in a way that doesn't end up actually putting people off the green agenda by saying you must not have a good time anymore and can't consume."So you've got to do this together and you've got to do it in a way that doesn't end up actually putting people off the green agenda by saying you must not have a good time anymore and can't consume.
"The truth is all the evidence is that if you use the science and technology constructively, your economy can grow, people can have a good time but, do so more responsibly.""The truth is all the evidence is that if you use the science and technology constructively, your economy can grow, people can have a good time but, do so more responsibly."
His spokesman later said that the PM's comments had to be seen in the wider context of the government's environmental policies, such as support for the EU's carbon-trading scheme and encouraging the development of bio-fuels and more efficient aircraft.
"But we are not going to do anything that will harm the domestic or global economy," he said, adding that tourist flights to developing countries would not be stopped.
'Holding out''Holding out'
Greenpeace campaigner Emily Armistead said: "Tony Blair is crossing his fingers and hoping someone will invent aeroplanes that don't cause climate change.Greenpeace campaigner Emily Armistead said: "Tony Blair is crossing his fingers and hoping someone will invent aeroplanes that don't cause climate change.
"But that's like holding out for cigarettes that don't cause cancer.""But that's like holding out for cigarettes that don't cause cancer."
Friends of the Earth head of campaigns Mike Childs said: "It's disappointing that Tony Blair is refusing to set an example on tackling climate change."Friends of the Earth head of campaigns Mike Childs said: "It's disappointing that Tony Blair is refusing to set an example on tackling climate change."
He added: "Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK.He added: "Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK.
"But rather than taking steps to curb the rise in air travel, the government is encouraging it by giving the aviation industry multi-billion pound tax breaks and allowing UK airports to expand.""But rather than taking steps to curb the rise in air travel, the government is encouraging it by giving the aviation industry multi-billion pound tax breaks and allowing UK airports to expand."
Mr Blair's comments follow a row between climate change minister Ian Pearson and Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary on the environmental impact of flying.Mr Blair's comments follow a row between climate change minister Ian Pearson and Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary on the environmental impact of flying.
The minister described Ryanair as "the irresponsible face of capitalism" and said Mr O'Leary was "completely off the wall".The minister described Ryanair as "the irresponsible face of capitalism" and said Mr O'Leary was "completely off the wall".
But the airline chief called Mr Pearson "foolish and ill-informed", saying that he "hasn't a clue what he's talking about".But the airline chief called Mr Pearson "foolish and ill-informed", saying that he "hasn't a clue what he's talking about".