Kennedy pledges green election battle

This year's floods raised fears about climate change

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy is pledging to put green issues at the heart of his party's general election campaign.

In a keynote speech to the Green Alliance on Tuesday in London, Mr Kennedy said many people regarded the environment as an important element of their daily lives.

"People understand they can make a difference," he said.

"Increasingly green issues are an important factor in deciding how people cast their vote."

Charles Kennedy

"They know that through buying environmentally friendly products, or using public transport, or recycling waste, that small actions make a big difference," he said.

"Increasingly, green issues are an important factor in deciding how people cast their vote."

The Lib Dem leader said he was pleased the prime minister had recently made a major speech on the environment but hoped his "new found interest" in the green agenda would continue.

"Before the last general election, the prime minister pledged to put the environment at the heart of government.

"Yet four years later the number of car journeys has risen, fuel duty has been cut, a massive programme of road building has been announced.

"The biotech industry seems to have been embraced almost without reservation and the election pledge for a 20% reduction in carbon monoxide emissions has been downgraded."

Important challenge

Pointing to the recent floods, Mr Kennedy described climate change as one of the biggest and most important challenges facing government.

His party has pledged to cutting British carbon dioxide levels by at least 20%, compared to 1990 levels, by 2010.

Kennedy: Green issues increasingly count

It has set a long-term target of ensuring that 60% of energy comes from renewable sources by the middle of this century.

The Lib Dem leader said he had challenged Mr Blair to make it clear to George W Bush that the US president's views on climate change were out of step with those of other world leaders.

He added: "The Stockholm EU summit this week gives Tony Blair the perfect opportunity to take a lead on this with other European leaders.

"It is an opportunity the prime minister must not duck."

Labour says green issues would form a key plank of a second term Blair government.

But the Conservatives have accused the government of failing on environmental issues and showing fake concern.

Mr Kennedy's speech came as the Green Party prepared to outline its plans this weekend in Chesterfield at what is likely to be its last conference before the general election.