[SGRupdate] Scientists Condemn Government over Cuts to Environmental Watchdogs

[Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR)]

Scientists Condemn Government over Cuts to Environmental Watchdogs

Press Release 23/07/10

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) today condemned the
government's decision to withdraw funding for the Sustainable Development
Commission and abolish the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director of SGR, said "The Sustainable
Development Commission and the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
have been highly influential watchdogs on environmental issues. Their
robust reports have led to major changes in thinking within government and
across British society. The announcement by the Environment Secretary is,
in effect, saying that the government's environmental policies no longer
need the level of scrutiny that these independent, expert bodies provided.
This thoroughly undermines the government's claimed commitment to
sustainable development."

Contact: Dr Stuart Parkinson +44 (0) 7941 953640

Notes

1. SGR is an independent UK-based membership organisation of about 1,000
natural and social scientists, engineers, IT professionals and architects.
It promotes science, design and technology that contribute to peace,
social justice, and environmental sustainability. For more information,
see: http://www.sgr.org.uk/

2. The Department for Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Defra) made
their announcement on their advisory bodies in a press release on
22/07/10. See http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/07/22/arms-length-bodies/

3. The Sustainable Development Commission was set up in 2000. For more
information, see: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/

4. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution was set up in 1970. For
more information, see: http://www.rcep.org.uk/