Friends of the Earth submitted manifesto proposals to all three parties, our key demands were
* Sufficient investment in switching to a low carbon economy to: achieve a reduction in UK greenhouse gas emission of 42 per cent by 2020; create jobs and boost the recovery; and eliminate fuel poverty.
* A local carbon budget for every local authority: that caps CO2 in the local area in line with the scientific demands for emissions cuts and local circumstances; and enough money and technical support to enable councils to do their bit to tackle climate change.
* A new law which will tackle the major greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation caused by the UK’s dependence on imported feeds for livestock – and which will support better UK farming and domestic feed production.
* An international agreement on cutting emissions where those responsible make the deepest cuts first, and developing countries are supported to grow in a low carbon way.

FoE commentry on Labour manifesto

“This manifesto falls far short of the urgent action required to tackle climate change and help Britain reap the enormous benefits of developing a low-carbon economy. It fails to commit the UK to cutting its emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020, which is needed to ensure this country plays its fair part in tackling global warming. Even welcome policies such as promoting electric vehicles are undermined by gas-guzzling plans such as motorway-widening and airport expansion. Labour should have set the bar far higher on environmental issues – the other parties must show voters they have far greater ambition.”

FoE commentry on Conservative manifesto:

“The Conservative party may have a vision for a greener future, but its manifesto lacks the clarity and ambition urgently needed to ensure the UK meets the enormous challenge of tackling climate change. Promises to introduce a Green Investment Bank and scrap Labour’s airport expansion plans are extremely welcome, but there are serious gaps in many proposals – Conservative plans to slash energy waste from homes must benefit those in rented accommodation and the fuel poor, and not just homeowners. The Conservatives’ failure to increase the target for UK emissions cuts to at least 42 per cent  by 2020 is extremely disappointing – this should have been a cornerstone of the party’s environmental policy and would have signalled a real intention for Britain to play its fair share in combatting global warming. Bolder policies are needed to ensure UK voters and businesses reap the enormous economic benefits of developing a safer, cleaner future for us all.”

Commenting on the Liberal Democrat manifesto FoE said:

“The Liberal Democrats have shown that the environment can be at the heart of policy-making by including it in every section of their manifesto. Their environmental policies have been woven into their economic recovery plans, recognising that building a low-carbon future will create thousands of new green jobs and business opportunities for Britain. There are still significant gaps – the manifesto says nothing on how local councils will play their part in meeting UK climate targets and domestic energy efficiency proposals remain too centred on loans for home-owners. But with a range of green policies, from tackling emissions in our food sector to rail fare cuts to encourage people onto public transport, there is a lot for people to welcome.”