Three quarters 'back climate law'

Three quarters of the UK population would support a new law aimed at combating climate change, according to a survey by Friends of the Earth.
Some 1,233 people were asked if they would back a law requiring annual reductions in UK CO2 emissions.

While 75% said they would, 5% said they would not, with 19% of respondents saying they did not know.

The government recently revealed the UK is unlikely to meet its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010.

The Climate Change Programme review projects that new and existing policies will deliver a cut of 15-18% by the end of the decade - the government's goal is 20%.

The vast majority of people want to see the government take action to tackle climate change

Tony Juniper
Friends of the Earth

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said the government was not giving up on meeting the target, but said more had to be done to reach it.

To highlight the issue, some of the UK's top musicians will be performing at 'The Big Ask Live' - a bank holiday concert in London.

Emissions reduction

The line up includes Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead and Gruff Rhys, lead singer of the Super Furry Animals.

Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth Director, said: "Like Thom Yorke and the other artists playing The Big Ask Live, the vast majority of people want to see the government take action to tackle climate change.

"This means a new climate change law that would require the government to make annual reductions in the UK's carbon emissions."

The national online survey was conducted for Friends of the Earth by TNS.

Some 1,233 adults aged between 16 and 64 were interviewed online from 25 to 27 April 2006.