Government vote rules out climate change amendment to its Planning Bill: a 'vital chance' to create greener future missed

The Government's decision to reject calls for climate change to be taken into account in planning decisions for major projects such as roads, airports and power stations, has been attacked by Friends of the Earth.

The Government defeated a climate change amendment to its Planning Bill in the House of Commons on the 2 June by 15 votes - with 24 Labour MPs voting for the amendment.

Friends of the Earth's Planning Campaigner Hugh Ellis, said: 'With no reference to climate change in the Planning Bill, people have no guarantees that Ministers will take climate change into account when considering major projects such as roads, airports and power stations which will lock us into the path towards climate change and environmental destruction.

'Government has recently made some bold statements about taking action on climate change. But yet again it has missed a vital chance to make those words a reality and create a cleaner, greener future for us all.'

A total of 24 Labour MPs voted against the Government by calling for the Planning Reform Bill to include a duty to consider climate change when planning major infrastructure projects such as roads and airports. The motion was defeated by a majority of just 15 and the Planning Reform Bill will now contain no legal duties to reduce climate change.

Yesterday's vote was the second sizeable rebellion by Labour MPs on climate change in the last few weeks. On the 30 April 37 MPs voted against the Government in favour of an amendment to the Energy Bill which would have encouraged homes, businesses and communities to install renewable energy systems such as solar panels.

Friends of the Earth sponsored two amendments to the Bill, which would have meant that the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) which will make decisions on power stations, airports, roads and other major developments would have a duty to consider Climate Change.

In a further debate next week the government will try to stop further amendments which would make the IPC democratically accountable and give people a meaningful right to be heard.