Environment - targets meaningless without action say Lib Dems.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 10th Jul 2008

Responding to Ruth Kelly's announcement of a consultation on the introduction of higher compulsory emissions targets for new cars, the Liberal Democrats have highlighted figures showing that the Government is on course to miss its current targets.

The current European Commission target is to reduce carbon emissions from new cars to 130 g/kg by 2012. However, the current average emissions for new British cars is 165 g/kg, and only reduced by 1.4% last year.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said:

"Tougher emissions targets are clearly to be welcomed, but without real action to meet them they will be meaningless.

"The UK's poor performance so far suggests that we will miss even the EU's lower 2012 emissions target, let alone these tougher targets.

"Without more commitment from the Government today's announcement is just a load of hot air."