Lib Dems vow to save green spaces

21 September 2009 08:01pm

The Liberal Democrats have hailed "ambitious plans" to protect the environment with proposals to slash waste, reform water pricing, protect green spaces and cut noise and light pollution.

The environment was being destroyed both in the UK and across the world and party members demanded swift action to reduce pressure on natural resources.

At the party's annual conference in Bournemouth delegates also backed land rights for indigenous people in the world's rainforests and supporting their stewardship of their habitats.

Environment, food and rural affairs spokesman Tim Farron said the party had demonstrated its "ambition to safeguard the natural environment for future generations both at home and abroad."

He said: "The natural environment is being degraded in many ways, not only locally but also through the UK's massive ecological impact on the rest of the world. It is clear that we all need to live in ways that put less stress on the planet's resources.

"That means compelling companies and public bodies to manage scarce resources more efficiently and giving more power to people to shape the decisions that affect the natural world around them.

"Protecting the environment shouldn't be the hardest option. The Government must make it easier for households to make choices that benefit the environment. Health and well-being can be enhanced if planning law promotes green spaces that are accessible to all.

"We must work with our European partners to take urgent action to reverse the destruction of the world's rainforests, which are home to a richness of biodiversity as well as being a significant carbon sink."

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