WA74

Business 'bears the brunt' of climate change burden

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has reacted angrily to suggestions that UK business is not doing enough to deal with the problem of climate change.

The comments followed suggestions that the Government is likely to miss its key targets on reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, by the year 2010.

Environment secretary Margaret Beckett suggested that the Government should take a tougher line with businesses.

However, CBI deputy director general, John Cridland, said that British business has done more than its competitors in other countries, and said that business has been responsible for the key policy ideas on reducing environmental impact.

Mr Cridland commented, 'The EU emissions trading scheme that comes in on 1 January follows the UK emissions trading scheme developed by the CBI and British companies'.

The CBI also criticised the Government for failing to place a sufficient burden on consumers, saying that to date 'it has been business that has taken the pain'.

Prime Minister Tony Blair emphasised that the UK has met its Kyoto commitment to reduce emissions by 12.5%, and has been holding discussions with US President George Bush in an attempt to gain US support for a new international treaty on global warming.

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