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Carbon Neutral nonsense
Newcastle City Council's 'Carbon Neutral Newcastle' project, aimed at
reducing carbon emissions, doesn't go far enough and lacks vision,
claims a local transport campaign group.
The Tyne Crossings Alliance, which is campaigning to stop the
construction of the proposed second Tyne tunnel, says that Newcastle
City Council's sponsorship of the planned tunnel is in contradiction to
the concept of reducing carbon emissions. Whilst the carbon neutral
project's aims are to be applauded, says the group, the concept of
'offsetting' emissions should be abandoned and a culture of carbon
emission reduction should be established within the council and spread
to every aspect of the council's responsibilities.
Alliance spokesperson, Paul Winch said:
"There is no doubt that climate change is occurring, and reducing
carbon emissions is important. However, it is apparent that Newcastle
City Council has put insufficient thought into the effect car use has on
CO2 pollution.
"As a sponsor and lead member of the second Tyne tunnel project,
the council is proposing to make pollution worse. The tunnel would
attract more cars and subsequently more local congestion than ever. This
would bring, among other harmful emissions, increased CO2 into the
Tyneside environment and further afield.
"A policy to reduce greenhouses gases must not be thought of as
limited to Newcastle, and should recognise carbon emission as a
regional, national and global problem.
"We challenge Newcastle City Council to adopt carbon emission
reduction as a culture and grasp the role as environmental leader in the
Region in partnership with other councils and communities. If Newcastle
City Council really believes in carbon emission reduction, it should
encourage projects that reduce the need to travel, and develop serious
and sustainable public transport alternatives.
"Dropping support for the second Tyne tunnel and devising a
cross-Tyne public transport strategy through Project Orpheus would be an
ideal New Year Resolution for Newcastle City Council, and a gift to the
environment. We believe that his change of direction is an essential
step towards a healthy future for our Region.
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information on the campaign to stop the second Tyne road
tunnel see the Tyne Crossings Alliance website: www.tyne-crossings.org/
2. The Tyne Crossings Alliance consists of: CPRE, Friends of the Earth
(FOE), Living Streets, North East Railway Development Society
(railfuture NE), Roadpeace, The Green Party, Transport 2000 and
Tynebikes. |