New Labour's environmental legacy

A bit like a typical Tottenham season they started weakly but finished strongly – largely thanks to the creation of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The introduction of the Climate Change Act and the belated creation of the Low Carbon Transition Plan, with all its associated legislation and investment, are certainly the actions of a world leader.

But why did it take so long? The next administration will face the expensive and complicated fall-out from the delay in creating a coherent UK energy policy with resultant rising prices, the need for new infrastructure and energy security all uncomfortably high on the agenda.

Labour can claim some notable successes. Bathing water standards are higher, our rivers are cleaner and water abstraction has declined. Investment in recycling has seen a vast improvement, although we are still throwing away more stuff thanks to our increased addiction to consumption.

There are, however, glaring weaknesses. In 1997 Two Jags Prescott promised to get us out of our cars. In 1997 we drove 450 billion kilometres, but by 2008 this had increased to 508 billion. The amount we fly has also drastically increased. The record on nature conservation is poor with farmland and sea birds in significant decline and our fish stocks continuing to diminish.

It is on the international stage where New Labour really shone. Blair raised climate change up the international agenda, Prescott used all his charm and delicate persuasion to ensure that there was a protocol at Koyoto and Ed Miliband was instrumental in ensuring there was any sort of agreement at Copenhagen.

... and what hopes can we have for the new Government?

Within the first few days of the new administration David Cameron announced that the new Government will sign up to the 10:10 campaign with the intention of making this the greenest Government ever.

There are certainly grounds for optimism. Chris Huhne is an imaginative choice to lead the fight on climate change and energy security. If set at the right level, the proposed carbon floor-price would give potential investors in energy infrastructure the long-term certainty they have craved.

There are a range of other substantive policies including:

• a green home loan scheme
• the creation of a green investment bank
• the commitment to retaining existing policies
• the retention of DECC

However, there are four areas where weaknesses might emerge.

The first is that public spending costs could severely hamper the ability of DECC and DEFRA to turn words into reality. The second is that the fundamental differences between the two parties on the European Community might mute our previously strong international voice.