The party has pushed incineration further up its agenda and has pledged to introduce an incineration tax. Landfill tax would also be increased under the proposals.
The manifesto says: “We will gradually increase the landfill tax to encourage alternative methods of disposal, backed up by an eventual ban on all but certain types of waste. We will not build incinerators unless results of research on their impact shows that they are safe and the best environmental option.”
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: “Both Tory and Labour governments in Britain have paid lip service to the environment, but their actions have not matched their rhetoric. Britain has been widely seen as the “dirty man” of Europe.
“The Liberal Democrats are different. We place the environment at the heart of our thinking. That is why we are the only party with a “green action” section in every chapter of our manifesto, integrating environmental thinking into every area of policy.”
Renewable Energy
In their manifesto it states that a minimum of 10 per cent of the UK's energy must be generated from UK-based renewable energy sources by 2010 and this will increase by one per cent a year thereafter to create thousands of new jobs in the green energy sector. But says that “waste incineration will no longer be classed as renewable energy”.
An Environmental Responsibility Act would also be initiated which would set out reporting requirements and environmental standards for government and businesses. It would introduce environmental audits across all government departments and local authorities.
And, the Liberal Democrats have reiterated their pledge to introduce a National Recycling Programme to give every household doorstep recycling by the end of the next Parliament and to recycle 60 per cent of household waste within 10 years.
Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, said: “Britain is near the bottom of the EU recycling league tables while the number of incinerators is set to soar. Liberal Democrat proposals would see a massive increase in recycling, re-use and waste minimisation and a reduction in landfill without resorting to incinerators.”
The Liberal Democrats also want to increase environmental awareness amongst young people by encouraging involvement in local environmental projects. “Children have a big influence on their parents’ involvement in “green” activities, and this will relate directly to the aims of our National Recycling Programme.”
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