Concern over environment 'on the backburner'

Businesses and government figures could be striking eco-friendly measures off their priority lists because of the economic downturn.

Writing in the Independent, Paul Vallely says companies are turning their attention away from carbon reduction and politicians are criticising congestion charge plans.

He says green campaigners fear the current UK financial climate will mean environmental schemes end up on the backburner.

Quoted by Mr Vallely, Tom Burke of Rio Tinto said: "People are getting very anxious about economic security amid the fear that a deeper and a nastier downturn is on the way."

He added Britain's "vulnerability" to oil price rises had become more important among politicians recently.

Mr Valley also writes "political capital" is up for grabs for the party that claims to be able to make it easy for the UK to become greener.

The Guardian also recently reported environmentalists and other campaigners feel company bosses may no longer be interested in sustainability thanks to the ongoing impact of the credit crunch.
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