Building a low carbon society presents opportunities as well as challenges.

 Labour aims to make Britain a leader in green technology, manufacturing and services - the growth of a low carbon economy that uses resources efficiently will be central to Britain’s future economic success. Key to this will be the development of a low carbon energy mix - including energy supplies from renewable sources like wind, solar and tidal power as well as cleaner fossil fuels and nuclear power.

 While the shift to low carbon will mean change, it has huge benefits for the economy
 and business, individuals and communities. Labour action to support this transition and the growth of new technologies and skills, will ensure Britain is ready to seize the opportunities that will come with change - such as a £400 million package to help Britain make the shift to low carbon vehicles, a new obligation on energy suppliers and electricity generators to deliver energy efficiency measures, and support for a massive expansion of renewable electricity and the development of carbon capture and storage technology for clean fossil fuel use.

 Labour is offering real help for people wanting to cut their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint by making their homes more energy efficient, for example through financial support towards the cost of insulation and modern boilers.

 But preparing for the long-term - and a low carbon future - requires a radical shift in the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings, and decarbonising our heat supply. Over the next three years, thanks to Labour action, 5 million more households will be helped with insulation and 100 million low energy light bulbs will be given out. We aim for 7 million homes to receive a whole house refurbishment by 2020 putting in measures such as solid wall insulation and low carbon heating technology to make these houses more energy efficient and cost efficient. By 2016, all new homes will be zero carbon.

 With Labour in government, Britain has played a world leading role in seeking international agreement on climate change. Central to this is our work in the EU to agree a new package of laws to deliver real cuts in CO2 across the union by 2020. And at home, our groundbreaking Climate Change Act has put in place a long-term legal framework for reducing emissions -making Britain the first country in the world to put carbon reduction targets into law.

 Labour also believes that it is vital to protect and enhance the natural environment of Britain's countryside for future generations. It is thanks to Labour that we have the system of National Parks. We are proud to have created the New Forest National Park and we are now going further, having announced the creation of a South Downs National Park.  We are fulfilling our promise to legislate for a Marine Bill which will better protect our seas and the wonders that lie beneath them. Meanwhile, to support British agriculture, we will press in Europe for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.