Local Lib Dem Leads National Climate Change Debate

5.50.00pm GMT Sat 7th Oct 2006

Greenwich Liberal Democrat Neil Stockley has been appointed to chair the party's Climate Change Policy Working Group. Neil will lead the group's work in reviewing party policy and ensuring that the Liberal Democrats remain at the forefront of environmental action.

Neil commented:

"Over the next 12 months, the Liberal Democrats need to update our policies to combat climate change. We need to find more ways to support new clean energy sources and new technologies that can reduce emissions, such as carbon capture and storage.

"We need new ideas for boosting energy conservation, for research and innovation and helping new micro technologies come on to the market."

Neil also criticised the Conservatives' new so-called "green approach" to their policies.

"The Tories are pretty good at coming up with cartoon pictures to make them look a little bit greener - frolics with huskies, talking to Friends of the Earth. But they haven't offered up one single specific new solution to tackle climate change. We have no idea what they would actually do about it if they ever got the chance."

The policy group is due to present its report to the party's conference in Brighton in September 2007.

If you would like to join the debate on climate change, please visit the group's website http://consult.libdems.org.uk/climatechange/