nomic policy. A costed £30B plan for investment
in the new green economy, it claims it will be
able to create a million jobs at a conservative esti-
mate. Among its key features are drives to
reduce the emissions of buildings (including free
insulation for every home) and the creation of
new national investment products (such as local
government bonds) to fund this work.
It calls for massive investment in renewable
energy and overhauls of the electricity grid and
public transport. The Sustainable Development
Commission weighed in with a report contain-
ing uncannily similar advice this April.
“If we had a massive investment in renewable
energy and energy efficiency, that wouldn’t only
be good for the environment – it would be one
of the quickest ways of creating far more jobs.
“Green energies are far more job-rich than the
fossil fuel energies that they replace. So, if we’re
talking about getting people back to work, if
we’re talking about really giving a boost to local
economies around the country, then an environ-
mental set of priorities is exactly the way to do it. Lucas: ‘Gordon Brown is staring green opportunities in the face and refusing to act’
So there’s a real potential win-win out there, and
it is enormously perverse that Gordon Brown is many incarnations across Europe are afforded amended legislation to strengthen the case
staring in the face and yet refusing [to act].” far more respect by both media and public. against GM crops.
Lucas is quick to note that the Green Party “The UK media’s coverage of what happens in As a part of the Green coalition in the
ethos is already up and running in Kirklees Europe is pitiful. If you compare it to other EU European parliament, she has also played her
Metropolitan Borough, Yorkshire, where coun- countries, I often see the German news or the role in pushing the EU’s extensive “climate
cillors have been instrumental in bringing free French news or whatever when there’s been an package” legislation towards reality: by 2020,
insulation to 40,000 households, creating 200 important decision in the parliament then it gets European governments will have to cut emis-
new jobs and saving families £150 a year on aver- on the front pages the following day,” she says. sions by at least 20%, increase renewable ener-
age. For all that, the key to a substantial Green “Whereas in this country it probably isn’t gy use by 20% and reduce energy consump-
Party breakthrough is convincing the electorate there at all. And, if it is, it’s on page 11 with some tions by 20%.
there’s more than one string to their bow. completely misleading headline. I do think the Lucas despairs over the package’s shortcom-
Policies include tough planning rules to national media has the responsibility to cover ings – and hopes that it will be considerably
increase the amount of affordable housing, a much more seriously decisions that affect peo- scaled up in the wake of an international climate
higher minimum wage (or “living wage”), a ple’s lives here in Britain to an enormous extent. change agreement – but acknowledges that, if it
“truly ethical” foreign policy (cancelling UK Ninety percent of all environmental policy in weren’t for the Greens, it would not have been
debt to 52 of world’s poorest countries, increas- Britain basically emerges from the European anywhere as stringent as it currently is.
ing overseas aid budget by 1% of UK’s gross institutions, and over 50% of social policy, so Our time is up, European electioneering
national investment) and an educational system people need to be able to understand that beckons. But, before she goes, Lucas ponders the
devoid of SATS and league tables. And, perhaps process as much as possible so they can influence question of whether or not we are ever likely to
attuned to the increasingly vocal public abhor- and shape it.” see a member of the Green Party in 10 Downing
rence of fiscal greed, there is a striking proposal With 43 representatives, the European Greens Street in our lifetime; after all, Labour went from
to raise income tax to 55% for those earning and the European Free Alliance (which consists its first MP to lead the government in a mere 24
more than £100,000 a year, and to 70% for those of parties representing stateless nations) is the years – and that was without overwhelming
making more than £1M. European Parliament’s fourth largest group. environmental imperatives.
Lucas concedes that people in areas where Lucas is a solid European politician, and has “Look at Germany, which had [Joseph
Green councillors have yet to make an impact a pretty impressive list of achievements to Martin] Joshka Fischer as foreign minister, who
assume they are a single-issue party but claims her name. For example, as a member of the was one of the most high-profile, well liked for-
that, given a chance, sceptics can be converted. Trade and Energy Committee from 1999 to eign ministers in the whole of Europe,” she con-
She points to her first electoral success as an 2004, she forced the European Commission to cludes. If we can have a foreign minister, we can
example of the party’s ability to demonstrate undertake legal investigations into the British certainly have a prime minister!
their competence. In 1993, she won the Green nuclear industry and promoted green energy as “What we need to do is paint a more com-
Party’s first ever seat on Oxfordshire County the alternative. As Parliament’s Rapporteur pelling picture of what a low-carbon or zero-
Council (a post she held until 1997). Today, (draftsperson) on a far-reaching Commission carbon economy would look like, what a green
Oxford Green Party has five county councillors Communication on the impact of air transport society would look like, the benefits in terms
and seven city councillors, one of which (Elise on the environment, she persuaded the of stronger local communities, stronger
Benjamin) is deputy mayor. European Parliament to support the introduc- local economies, much better public transport,
Another point Lucas is keen to make is that, tion of new environmental charges and much more flexible working hours – there are so
while many in the UK have an image of the noise restrictions on airlines. And, as a member many things we can hold up and say these are the
Green Party as political also-rans, the party’s of the Environment Committee, Caroline has positive benefits of making that transition.”
Sustainable Business 1❘ June 2009 2
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