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Parties battle over green agenda Parties battle over green agenda
(about 3 hours later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron are battling for leadership of the green agenda as they outline rival visions.Chancellor Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron are battling for leadership of the green agenda as they outline rival visions.
Mr Brown will say "Euroscepticism" makes it harder for the Tories to achieve global agreements on cutting carbon emissions.Mr Brown will say "Euroscepticism" makes it harder for the Tories to achieve global agreements on cutting carbon emissions.
Mr Cameron is urging ministers to set annual, not just long-term, targets.Mr Cameron is urging ministers to set annual, not just long-term, targets.
The environment is seen as a key issue for the two men expected to lead their parties into the next general election.The environment is seen as a key issue for the two men expected to lead their parties into the next general election.
We believe taxation is an extremely blunt instrument in terms of reducing carbon emissions British Airways Airlines oppose Tory plans Travellers give their viewsWe believe taxation is an extremely blunt instrument in terms of reducing carbon emissions British Airways Airlines oppose Tory plans Travellers give their views
The chancellor, speaking in London, will argue that it is essential to work through bodies such as the European Union to reach international agreements.The chancellor, speaking in London, will argue that it is essential to work through bodies such as the European Union to reach international agreements.
Mr Cameron, addressing a Conservative Party environmental summit, will call for strict annual targets to be included in the government's Climate Change Bill, due to be launched on Tuesday. But Mr Cameron, addressing a Conservative Party environmental summit, called for strict annual targets to be included in the government's Climate Change Bill, due to be launched on Tuesday.
'Timetable slip''Timetable slip'
The bill will outline long-term goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050, but will not include annual targets.The bill will outline long-term goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050, but will not include annual targets.
"Without annual rate of change targets, it's too easy for the timetable to slip," Mr Cameron will say. "Without annual rate of change targets, it's too easy for the timetable to slip," Mr Cameron said.
"And once it has slipped, it's much harder to make up the difference later.""And once it has slipped, it's much harder to make up the difference later."
He will also say his party will do all it can to "improve" the bill.
Chancellor Gordon Brown will try to seize back the green agendaChancellor Gordon Brown will try to seize back the green agenda
The speeches follow the Tories' launch of proposals including taxing frequent fliers and a tax on flights based on the level of carbon emissions.The speeches follow the Tories' launch of proposals including taxing frequent fliers and a tax on flights based on the level of carbon emissions.
Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that former US vice-president Al Gore - who starred in the Academy Award-winning environmental film An Inconvenient Truth - would address a meeting of Conservative frontbenchers on Thursday.Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that former US vice-president Al Gore - who starred in the Academy Award-winning environmental film An Inconvenient Truth - would address a meeting of Conservative frontbenchers on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mr Brown is set to criticise the Tories' proposals as "ill-conceived" and "unworkable".Meanwhile, Mr Brown is set to criticise the Tories' proposals as "ill-conceived" and "unworkable".
"Changes must be considered, costed, credible and consumer-friendly, not ill-conceived, short-termist, unworkable and unfair," he will say."Changes must be considered, costed, credible and consumer-friendly, not ill-conceived, short-termist, unworkable and unfair," he will say.
'No influence''No influence'
Referring to the Tories' approach to Europe, he will say: "Euroscepticism and continent-wide environmental action are at odds with each other.Referring to the Tories' approach to Europe, he will say: "Euroscepticism and continent-wide environmental action are at odds with each other.
"A government ambivalent about the UK's future in Europe and allied to the most reactionary forces in the European Parliament would have no credibility, no influence and no achievements.""A government ambivalent about the UK's future in Europe and allied to the most reactionary forces in the European Parliament would have no credibility, no influence and no achievements."
Mr Brown will set out steps individuals and businesses can take to save energy.Mr Brown will set out steps individuals and businesses can take to save energy.
But the Green Alliance, the group hosting Mr Brown's speech, criticised the government's green credentials.But the Green Alliance, the group hosting Mr Brown's speech, criticised the government's green credentials.
HAVE YOUR SAY This 'global warming' rubbish is just stuff and nonsense put out as an excuse to raise taxes Rich Wintie, Bournemouth Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY This 'global warming' rubbish is just stuff and nonsense put out as an excuse to raise taxes Rich Wintie, Bournemouth Send us your comments
It said the Conservatives' plans for new aviation taxes showed that they were more radical than the government.It said the Conservatives' plans for new aviation taxes showed that they were more radical than the government.
The chancellor has also come under pressure from former environment minister and Labour leadership contender Michael Meacher.The chancellor has also come under pressure from former environment minister and Labour leadership contender Michael Meacher.
Echoing Conservative calls, he urged the government to set binding annual emissions targets.Echoing Conservative calls, he urged the government to set binding annual emissions targets.
It must have "an explicit strategy" to deliver 60% cuts by 2050, he said.It must have "an explicit strategy" to deliver 60% cuts by 2050, he said.
"Anything less would be more cosmetic palliatives in the war against climate change.""Anything less would be more cosmetic palliatives in the war against climate change."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell told BBC News 24 the Conservative proposals for a package of taxes on air travel was a "step in the right direction", but questioned their ability to take tough decisions on the environment.
He also backed a different direction to that taken by Mr Brown's recent increase in passenger air taxes.
Sie Menzies said: "What you should do is not tax individual passengers but tax aircraft movements.
"The effect of that would be to persuade airlines, first of all to invest in aircraft which have lower emissions, and also to make sure that aircraft do not take off half-empty. The burden should be towards aircraft movement, not on individual passengers."