Stuck in the middle with you!

Liberal Democrats:

Philosophy:

"Liberal Democrats believe that protecting the environment is one of the greatest challenges this generation faces. We must hand on to our children a planet worth living on. That requires action across government – this is everybody's responsibility, not just one climate change minister's. It is because we believe concern for the environment is important in every part of people's lives that we have identified policies in every chapter of this manifesto to protect the
planet."

Politics:

The Lib Dems have taken a visibly different approach to environmental policy by weaving it through every chapter of the manifesto - a tactic that has already secured plaudits from a number of green groups.

The main political dividing line is the decision to ditch the planned roll out of new nuclear reactors on the grounds that they are likely to prove more expensive than renewables and energy efficiency measures. However, it could be argued that plans for a green stimulus package are more detailed and ambitious than the low carbon strategies presented by the other main parties.

Policies:

• Launch a job creation and green economic stimulus package funded through £3.1bn of public spending. Aim to create 100,000 green jobs.
• Set up UK infrastructure banking systems to invest in low carbon projects. Allow individuals to save with the new bank.
• Invest £400m in upgrading shipyards to support offshore wind and marine energy industry.
• Launch one year scrappage scheme offering households £400 when they install double glazing, replace an old boiler or install microgeneration technology.
• Launch green home loan scheme and target loans and grants to renovate 250,000 unoccupied homes.
• Increase school energy efficiency.
• Invest £140m in council bus scrappage scheme, accelerating roll out of low carbon buses.
• Reject a new generation of nuclear power stations; "based on the evidence nuclear is a far more expensive way of reducing carbon emissions than promoting energy conservation and renewable energy".
• Block unabated coal-fired power stations.
• Set target to generate 40 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2020, raising to 100 per cent by 2050.
• Strengthen Carbon-reduction Commitment scheme and require all businesses and government departments to report on carbon emissions.
• Sign government up to 10:10 campaign.
• Replace per-passenger Air Passenger Duty with a per-plane duty (PPD), ensuring that air freight is taxed for the fi rst time, and introduce higher
  rate of PPD on domestic flights where alternative forms of travel are available.
• Oppose expansion of Heathrow and support major overhaul of railway network with addition of new lines and new rules to help cut fares.
• Work internationally for strong and binding climate change agreement.
• Work with EU to set a target to make all cars zero emission target by 2040.
• Set clear zero waste targets, aiming to edn waste being sent to landfill.
• Hold an immediate Strategic Security and Defence Review (SSDR), including non-military challenges such as climate change.