UK govt environment dismissed as too long term, lacking real power

The UK government's much-vaunted environment strategy for the next 25 years was attacked as being too vague and lacking any legal footing by campaigners.

Unveiling the policy on Thursday, Prime Minister Theresa May insisted the plan was “inspiring” as she outlined plans to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2024.

"I think people will be shocked at how today we allow so much plastic to be produced needlessly," she said.

"We look back in horror at some of the damage done to our environment in the past and wonder how anyone could have thought that, for example, dumping toxic chemicals into rivers was ever the right thing to do."

May is desperate to appeal to young voters, and re-establish the Conservative's green credentials, largely kicked into the long grass under her predecessor David Cameron who once pledged to lead the “greenest government ever” only to later allegedly order aides to “get rid of all the green crap” from energy legislation.

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the 25 year timescale for May's proposals was "far too long", saying action needed to be taken “now”.

May said other measures will go out for consultation, such as a possible charge on single-use plastic containers like takeaway boxes research funding for “plastics innovation”.

Executive director of pressure group John Sauven said Britain’s natural environment needed “a 25-month emergency plan more than it needs a 25-year vision”.

“They should start by rolling out more robust and swift measures to stop plastic waste harming our oceans, clean up illegal air pollution and support the clean energy sources that can help stop climate change.”

“If Theresa May wants to persuade people this is more than just husky-hugging, she needs to put some joined-up thinking at the heart of her strategy.”

Friends of the Earth’s chief executive Craig Bennett said the government could not keep “turning a blind eye to the urgent action needed now to protect our health and planet from toxic air and climate-wrecking pollution”.

“It’s time to stop tinkering at the margins and get to the heart of the problems - especially the nation’s fossil fuels addiction,” he said.