Lib Dems celebrate as Cardiff is ranked fourth 'greenest' city in UK

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Oct 2007

Cllr. Ed Bridges and Dom Hannigan have welcomed a report praising Cardiff's green credentials. Cardiff's Lib Dem council has invested heavily in recycling by opening Wales' biggest recycling plant.

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed a new independent report that has ranked Cardiff amongst the greenest and best cities in Britain.

The Sustainable Cities Index, published by environmental charity Forum for the Future, looked at cities' waste collection and the impact of travel, housing and local services on the environment. In the report, Cardiff came fourth in the Environmental Impact and Quality of Life categories.

Gabalfa councillor, Ed Bridges, said: "I'm delighted that this report has recognised the green approach championed by the Cardiff's Liberal Democrat council. We have put environmental policies at the heart of our vision for the city - introducing free doorstep recycling collection services for every house in Cardiff and opening Wales' largest recycling plant."

The Lib Dems firm measures to reduce carbon emissions are in stark contrast to the cowardly approach of the failing Labour government. Only last week Labour ministers were attacked by their own environment adviser, Jonathon Porritt, who criticised them for making 'soaring speeches' without backing them up by with action. He slammed the Labour Government for 'falling woefully short of what could be done,' and criticised Gordon Brown's "incredibly inconsistent leadership'.

In contrast the Liberal Democrats are leading the climate-change debate, producing radical policies that will make the UK a world leader in the fight to reduce carbon emissions. The Lib Dems would:

· set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, with progress independently monitored every year

· cut income tax for all to just 16%, coupled with the introduction of 'green taxes' for the worst polluters in society

· oppose new nuclear power-stations, with money invested in developing renewable energy technologies instead

Lib Dems Parliamentary candidate for Cardiff South & Penarth, Dominic Hannigan, said: "Only the Liberal Democrats are taking the threat of climate change seriously. Under the Labour government carbon emissions are rising - but the Lib Dems have outlined radical policies that would reverse this worrying trend."