MALVERN Hills district is producing 12.2 per cent more than the national average of the gases that cause climate change, says Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Richard Burt.

As part of his party's campaign for "green" taxes on pollution, he has published figures showing how local carbon emissions compare to national and global averages.

Mr Burt said: "With a population of 73,800, Malvern Hills district is emitting 768,500 tonnes of carbon each year, on the latest official figures. This puts us at 10.6 tonnes of carbon per person per year, compared with a national average for the UK of 9.3 tonnes per person.

"The global average is around 2.5 tonnes of carbon per person per year, which means the average person in Malvern Hills is generating over four times as much as the average global inhabitant. We just can't keep on consuming and polluting at this rate. Carbon emissions are the key problem causing global warming.

"All of us need to try far harder to meet the national target of a 60 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050, to which all major political parties have agreed."

The party had a stall on the corner of Grange Road and Church Street, Malvern, on Saturday, offering passers-by advice on how they could cut their energy use.

"Through simple things like turning down the thermostat, using energy-saving light bulbs and not leaving appliances on standby we can all help to save the environment and cut our energy bills. I urge everybody to make at least one commitment to energy saving today."

9:33am Monday 6th November 2006

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