by Darren Gibson

Challenges to the environment and climate change are two of the most broadly debated topics in the run up to this Thursday’s General Election.

Each of the major political parties have set out what they will do to tackle carbon emissions, with Labour issuing the biggest promise of them all by offering to plant two billion trees by the year 2040.

The Lib Dems have offered to plant 60 million per year, while the Conservatives will attempt to dig deep with 30 million per year and the Green Party have rivalled the Labour Party’s pledge by promising to plant 700 million new trees by the year 2030.

The UK is host to environmental charities like Trees For Life and Woodland Trust Scotland, while Greenpeace, one of the largest environmental protection agencies in the world, has their own UK division to help protect Scotland’s natural environment.

A statement on the Greenpeace UK website reflecting the upcoming General Election reads:

“The majority of voters have said climate change will influence how they vote.

“And over two-thirds want the government to deliver stronger climate measures, and faster than this is the case right now.

“There are many reasons why climate and nature need to be at the front of this election.”

Each of the UK’s political parties were ranked by Greenpeace according to how well they promise to match up to key things that need to be de done in four important areas:

Investing to transform the economy by supporting a just transition and global climate justice, transforming transport, homes and energy generation, restoring nature and reforming farming while being a global leader on climate and nature.

It will be no surprise to anyone to learn that the Green Party has ranked highest on the league table, with Labour and Liberal Democrats in second and third place, the SNP in 4^th, Plaid Cymru in 5^th, and The Conservative Party in 6^th ahead of The Brexit Party in last position.

The General Election will take place on Thursday, December 12.

For more information from Greenpeace, visit:

www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/climate-debate-party-manifestos-climate-change-nature-2/