Lib Dems Euro MP Wins New Climate Change Battle

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Jan 2009

Chris Davies MEP with Helen Foster-Grime

Proposals from a North West Lib Dem Euro MP for a 10 billion euro fund to support the development of 'Carbon Capture and Storage' technology (CCS) to combat global warming have gained European Parliament backing. Liberal Democrat Chris Davies MEP described winning backing for the plan as the most important day of his political life.

Scientists say that the use of CCS could halve total CO2 emissions from power station and major industrial installations by 2050. The Lib Dem MEP said, "CCS development has the potential to make an enormous contribution to the fight against climate change. We can afford no delay and no more construction of conventional coal-fired power stations. It is time now for Ministers to back their fine words with practical action."

Leading Lib Dem Euro Parliament campaigner for the North West, Helen Foster-Grime, added, "Chris forcefully challenged EU governments to either back his proposals to kick-start CCS development or come up with serious alternatives. He secured the crucial support for this key step forward in the battle against climate change despite strong resistance in some EU member states.

Thanks to Chris and his Euro Environment team, there really is a chance to prevent the massive outpouring of harmful emissions from power stations. Without the potential of this development driven by Chris Davies as the European Parliament's chief negotiator, so many of our environmental efforts could have been wiped out by the effects of one dirty power plant pumping out pollution."