THE Liberal Democrats call themselves the only party willing to stop "real and dangerous" climate change. Leader Nick Clegg is promising a £3bn green jobs plan that will invest in wind energy and energy efficiency, and renovate empty homes.
Like the Tories and Labour, the Liberal Democrats also pledge to rework Britain's current energy network: rolling out “smart metering” (in five years' time), ensuring guaranteed fair prices for energy consumers, and establishing a “warm homes” scheme (to renovate homes on “green loans”).
However, the Lib-Dems have also taken their green promises up a notch by pledging that at least 20% of energy and 40% of electricity will come from renewable resources by 2020 (that figure rises to 100% for both by 2050).
In the party’s environment manifesto, leader Nick Clegg said: “This election is not like any other.
“We now know, from climate scientists, that the next government will be the last that can stop dangerous climate change. That is a huge responsibility for the party that wins this election. But it’s an even bigger responsibility for the voters that will choose them on May 6.
“We’ll set an example at home and show leadership abroad, too. We’ll begin creating our new, green economy on day one by investing in green technologies, energy efficiency and public transport, creating tens of thousands of new jobs.
“And we’ll protect our natural environment, promoting biodiversity and making sure everyone has access to clean air, clean water and open spaces.”
They pledge that they would begin with a one-year job creation and green economic stimulus package.
Mr Clegg added:“We have identified £3.1bn of public spending that can be used to create 100,000 jobs. This programme will be a first step towards our target of a zero-carbon Britain by 2050.”
They would also look at cutting rail fares, investing in local rail improvements, such as opening closed rail lines and adding extra tracks, paid for by cutting the major roads budget, and make rail companies refund a third of your ticket price if you have to take a rail replacement bus service.
