Beckett pledges 'green' G8 summit
June 17, 2005
Delegates at next month's G8 summit will contribute to the planet's wellbeing as well as talk about it, according to the government.
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has pledged £50,000 will be donated to sustainability projects in Africa.
She says this will offset the carbon dioxide pumped out by ministerial motorcades, flights and accommodation.
The world's biggest industrial nations plan to discuss climate change, among other topics, at the Gleneagles summit.
The announcement of the initiative was timed to coincide with World Environment Day.
Ceiling insulation
Mrs Beckett said the plan highlighted Britain's intention to prioritise Africa and climate change at the summit.
She said: "Departments across Whitehall have already signed up to off-setting of all ministerial travel.
"I hope off-setting the G8 presidency will set a precedent for future G8 presidencies."
The carbon dioxide emissions associated with the summit will be equal to those generated by 800 average homes in a year, it is estimated.
The government says investment in small-scale Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in Africa will offset those emissions.
One such CDM project involves installing solar water heaters, ceiling insulation and compact fluorescent light bulbs in a low-income housing area in Cape Town, South Africa.
Foreign Office minister Ian Pearson said all members of the G8 group were working together to minimise the environmental impact of the meeting.
"We hope that the work we are taking forward on sustainability as part of our G8 presidency will be used as a benchmark for future events," he said.
The summit is due to take place in Gleneagles, Perthshire, between 6 and 8 July.
It is expected to attract demonstrations from anti-capitalists, anti-poverty activists and environmental campaigners.
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