ONCE upon an election time, environmentalists had to fight to have their voices heard, especially where issues like landfill tax, food security and renewable energy were concerned.

But, as Merseyside prepares to vote in a General Election and a series of local elections this week, it's easy to see that green issues are not only on the agenda, they're pretty high up on it, too.

Whether it's tackling Trident, promising more cycle paths or vowing to establish a green investment bank, parties today are showing just how seriously they take environmental issues – and voters are taking note.

But often what's promised pre-election is very rarely delivered post-election – and what matters to one party has very little bearing on another.

So how do voters who care about the parties’ real environment policies avoid the bandwagon jumping greenwash and work out who would really make for the most eco-friendly future?

Internet messageboards, Facebook profiles and even Tweets abound with updates on which party has made a new eco-promise.

Ultimately, the key issues concern climate change, food security and whether or not to go nuclear, plus the popular ideas of a green bank, and government support for home energy efficiency.

Ben Caldecott, of the UK's green investment company, Climate Change Capital, says: “The creation of a Green Investment Bank, the Green Deal on energy efficiency and a commitment to encourage individuals to direct their savings towards green investments is potentially a powerful combination that could help transform Britain.

“It's critical, however, that these new mechanisms and institutions are set up quickly, transparently, and at a level or size commensurate with the scale of change we need to deliver.”