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| Parties battle over green agenda | Parties battle over green agenda |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron will battle for leadership of the green agenda as they outline rival visions. | Chancellor Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron will battle for leadership of the green agenda as they outline rival visions. |
| The two men are delivering keynote speeches on climate change in a bid to seize the lead on the environment. | The two men are delivering keynote speeches on climate change in a bid to seize the lead on the environment. |
| Mr Brown will dismiss the Tories' ability to tackle green issues in the European Union because of the party's euro scepticism. | Mr Brown will dismiss the Tories' ability to tackle green issues in the European Union because of the party's euro scepticism. |
| Mr Cameron will call on the government to set annual emissions targets. | Mr Cameron will call on the government to set annual emissions targets. |
| We believe taxation is an extremely blunt instrument in terms of reducing carbon emissions British Airways Airlines oppose Tory plans Travellers give their views | We believe taxation is an extremely blunt instrument in terms of reducing carbon emissions British Airways Airlines oppose Tory plans Travellers give their views |
| The environment is seen as a key electoral battleground for the two men who are expected to lead their parties into the next general election. | The environment is seen as a key electoral battleground for the two men who are expected to lead their parties into the next general election. |
| The chancellor, speaking in London, will highlight the government's role in setting new European Union standards on carbon dioxide emissions. | The chancellor, speaking in London, will highlight the government's role in setting new European Union standards on carbon dioxide emissions. |
| He will argue that it is essential to work through bodies such as the European Union to reach international agreements on reducing greenhouse gases. | |
| 'Targets needed' | 'Targets needed' |
| Mr Cameron, addressing a Tory Party environmental summit, will challenge the government to set strict annual targets in its Climate Change Bill, due to be launched on Tuesday. | |
| "Without annual rate of change targets, it's too easy for the timetable to slip," he will say. | "Without annual rate of change targets, it's too easy for the timetable to slip," he will say. |
| "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 that the Climate Change Bill needs teeth and that his party will do all it can to "improve the bill". | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown will try to seize back the green agenda | Chancellor Gordon Brown will try to seize back the green agenda |
| The speeches follow the Tories' launch of a bold package of proposals that includes taxing frequent fliers and a "per flight" tax based on carbon emissions. | The speeches follow the Tories' launch of a bold package of proposals that includes taxing frequent fliers and a "per flight" tax based on carbon emissions. |
| Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live Mr Cameron said that a plane packed with holidaymakers pays "an enormous amount" of tax while an "empty aeroplane flying to the same destination pays nothing". Air travel was not being taxed in a "particularly smart" way, he added. | Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live Mr Cameron said that a plane packed with holidaymakers pays "an enormous amount" of tax while an "empty aeroplane flying to the same destination pays nothing". Air travel was not being taxed in a "particularly smart" way, he added. |
| But Mr Brown is set to criticise the proposals as "ill-conceived" and "unworkable" measures. | But Mr Brown is set to criticise the proposals as "ill-conceived" and "unworkable" measures. |
| "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. |
| Referring to the Tories' approach to Europe, he will say: "Euro-scepticism and continent-wide environmental action are at odds with each other. | Referring to the Tories' approach to Europe, he will say: "Euro-scepticism 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 also set out steps individuals and businesses can take to save energy in their daily lives. | Mr Brown will also set out steps individuals and businesses can take to save energy in their daily lives. |
| Green credentials questioned | Green credentials questioned |
| 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 comments | 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 comments |
| The group said the Conservatives' plans for new aviation taxes showed that they were more radical than the government. | The group 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 as part of the Climate Change Bill. | Echoing Conservative calls, he urged the government to set binding annual emissions targets as part of the Climate Change Bill. |
| 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." |
| The Climate Change Bill will outline the government's long-term goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050, but will not include annual targets. | |