David Miliband today talks to Guardian Unlimited from the climate change talks in Nairobi to explain why the government wants five-year targets to reduce carbon emissions and to quash claims that his green policy plans are being resisted by the chancellor, Gordon Brown.
Earlier today, the UK environment minister heard Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general, ahead of a series of ministerial talks on pushing forward the international climate change agenda, which conclude this Friday.
Mr Miliband's proud boast is that the UK is seen as a "world leader" in its commitment to tackling climate change on the domestic front. But he says without the international community, individual efforts will be thwarted by the actions of the biggest polluters.
The UK is responsible for just 2% of the global emissions, Mr Miliband told Guardian Unlimited. The environment secretary is keen to secure a package to help developing countries adapt to climate change, and ensure a strategy is in place to coincide with the end of the Kyoto agreement in 2012.
And the minister says he is unfazed by the Conservative's push on green issues, claiming instead his delight that the Tories have come out of the "stone age" on this issue.
Is Mr Miliband right to be so relaxed? Have the Tories scored an early victory by seeing the climate change bill commitments beefed up? Or was it the expected wrath of the 202 Labour MP's who signed a commons motion that concentrated government minds?
And does the UK really deserve a pat on the back for its leadership on climate change issues? Tomorrow, Mr Miliband talks to Guardian Unlimited to report on the complexion of the ministerial talks so far. Post your comments below and we'll put them to the secretary of state.
Listen to today's podcast here
Listen to yesterday's podcasthere
Listen to Monday's podcast here
