Brown to set green example
Gordon Brown says he seldom travels abroad for pleasure
Also In The News
|
David Beckham will leave Real Madrid to sign for LA Galaxy at the end of the season in a deal which means he will see out his career in the United States. |  |
Friday, 12, Jan 2007 08:39
The government should set an example on how to tackle climate change, Gordon Brown has said.
To do his best for the environment, the man tipped to be the next prime minister when Tony Blair steps down said he seldom flew overseas for leisure purposes, preferred to drive a modest car, composted, and used insulation in the home.
"We've got our personal responsibility. All of us should think of the consequences of our actions," he said.
In a Sky News debate on climate change, he urged all countries to collaborate more to reduce the threat of global warming, which he sees as his top priority.
"I don't think in the modern world any top-down solutions or any sort of pulling levers works anymore unless there is individual and social responsibility involved as well," he said.
"In other words you have got to take people with you and therefore I think you have got to show by your actions that you are not only doing what you expect other people to do but you can actually make a difference by these actions."
He added that the Treasury offset his carbon footprint.
But the prime minister told Sky earlier this week that that he was not convinced of the need to stop international travel for personal pleasure.
"I personally think these things are a bit impractical," he said.
The government aims to make itself totally carbon neutral by 2015.
Shell UK chairman James Smith and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, via videolink, were among those who joined the debate.