Clowns to the left of me?

This week saw the release of the three main parties' election manifestos and environmental commitments formed a central component of each. In fact, in many areas the manifestos hammered home the admirable political consensus that has developed around the low-carbon policies, with each party outlining broadly similar plans for a new low-carbon infrastructure bank, green home loans, ambitious renewable energy targets, and increased clean coal technologies investment.

However, there were also crucial differences in the Parties' philosophical approach to delivering a low-carbon economy, and clear dividing lines around some high-profile policies, nuclear energy, Heathrow expansion and environmental taxes.

BusinessGreen.com wades through the manifestos (so you don't have to) and offers an at-a-glance guide to the three main parties' low-carbon commitments:

Philosophy:

"Labour's environmental agenda reflects our values. Only active government can shape markets to prioritise green growth and job creation. Environmental sustainability cannot be left to individuals and businesses acting alone. We believe that people have the right to a healthy environment. That means giving everyone access to the beauty and amenity of natural places; we want to make it easier to live in a sustainable way whatever your standard of living."

Politics:

While all the main parties share many green policy proposals, Labour's manifesto accuses the Tories of adopting an approach to the environment that is "all about image".

The manifesto explicitly argues that Conservative reluctance to support renewable energy projects, proposals to reverse planning reforms, and opposition to the government's interventionist industrial policy would "put Labour's low-carbon revolution in jeopardy".

It argues that only an interventionist government can drive the development of low-carbon industries, but also positions Labour as pragmatic environmentalists who are still willing to support the expansion of Heathrow airport.

Policies:

• Achieve about 40 per cent low-carbon electricity by 2020 and create 400,000 new green jobs by 2015.
• Introduce "pay as you save" green home makeover scheme and require landlords to insulate rented homes.
• Move towards a "zero waste" Britain, banning recyclable and biodegradable materials from landfill.
• Push for strong and binding international climate change treaty, and lobby EU low emission target for 2020 to 30 per cent below 1990 levels.
• From 2013 provide climate assistance for developing countries that is additional to commitment to provide 0.7 per cent of UK national income in overseas aid.
• Develop new high-speed rail network.
• Roll out smart grid and smart meters for all homes.
• Ensure 15 per cent of UK energy comes from renewables by 2020.
• Make decision on Severn tidal barrage plans early in next parliament.
• Roll out new fleet of nuclear reactors.
• Develop at least four CCS demonstration plants.
• Ban unabated coal-fired power plants.
• Promote community-scale renewable energy and district heat schemes by making it easier for community organisations, co-ops and social enterprises to provide energy services.
• Introduce "recycle on the go" schemes.
• Link together new protected areas of habitat; maintain the Green Belt; increase forest and woodland areas.
• Continue to push for reform of common agricultural policy and appoint supermarket ombudsman to protect interests of suppliers.