Tobias Ellwood has called for more to de done to dramatically cut CO2 emissions after today's announcement that the Government has failed to meet its own targets.

The Government had claimed in 1990 that they would be able to cut emissions by 20% by 2010, but have now backtracked and reduced the target to 15% rather than attempting to cut emissions further. The Climate Change Programme Review, published today, has forecast that current polices will mean actual carbon emission reductions will be between 15% and 18%.

Tobias said:

"Climate change, along with global poverty and terrorism, is one of the greatest issues facing us today. It's vital that we set targets for reducing carbon emissions and make a real commitment to meeting those targets. This Government promotes its 'environmental' credentials, even calling the Chancellor's statement last week 'The Green Budget'. Road transport is responsible for over a fifth of the UK's CO2 emissions, but road tax for the big gas guzzling vehicles went up less than the cost of a tank of petrol. VAT on flights and more investment on a high speed national rail network would have been simple and effective ways to make people consider how they travel."

"I would also like to see more done in Bournemouth. As individuals we are increasingly conscious about our own contribution to the environment, but Bournemouth Council remains one of the few that has yet to introduce doorstep recycling. Poole and Christchurch have done so and so should we.

"Our ultimate goal must be to pressure China, India and Brazil, the major international polluters, to reduce their carbon emissions. If we are unable to show we have our own house in order, it will be harder still to influence those countries just entering their own industrial revolutions."