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25 Nov 2002
Today’s report from the influential Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the UK's environmental performance [1] confirms that much still needs to be done if the UK is to play its part in protecting the planet.
The report’s core findings are that "considerable effort and investment will be necessary for the UK to consolidate and extend implementation of environmental policies". It goes on: "Progress towards national goals, concerning renewable forms of energy, waste management, and agri-environment concerns remain slower than what is needed to reach them."
The OECD finds that although the UK has moved to meet some environmental goals, a great deal more needs to be achieved to shift Britain from a middle-ranking position in comparison to similar economically advanced countries.
UK waste policy, for example, remains inadequate with recycling rates well below those of other EU countries.
The report notes that the public remains sceptical about ecological taxes and suggests that more should be done to convince people of the need for road fuel duties and other measures.
While some rivers are much cleaner, many are threatened by diffuse pollution from agricultural pesticides and fertilisers.
The report also highlights how there is still no effective means for protecting wildlife habitats in the marine environment.
Speaking at the report launch, Friends of the Earth Director Designate Tony Juniper said:
"The UK is still not pulling its weight on environmental performance. We need to see some real leadership from the top. Mr Blair came to power in 1997 with a promise to put the environment at the heart of government. There has been progress in some areas but this report sets out the scale of the challenge ahead - it is vast. If Britain is to play its part in protecting the planet, then policies must change. We will look for a new direction in the forthcoming White Paper on energy and the revised waste strategy. If there are no shifts in direction in these important documents, then two more opportunities for change will have been missed".
[1] Environmental Performance Review.The United Kingdom. OECD, November 25th 2002.
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