New research shows Shepway emits twice the Carbon Dioxide per person of Eastbourne

According to new research by the Liberal Democrats, Shepway emits 920.2 thousand tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year - 9.4 tonnes per person in the area per year - slightly above the UK average of 9.3 tonnes per person.

Locally, Ashford also emits 9.4 tonnes per person, Dover 8.4, Canterbury 6.6 and Eastbourne just 4.5 - the second lowest in the country.

The data has been released to coincide with the Stop Climate Chaos march and rally in Central London today, which is being attended by Liberal Democrats from Shepway and across the country. The main findings are:

• The UK is emitting almost four times the current global average emissions, with an average of around 9.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person
• The highest area - the City of London - emits fifty five times more per head (245 tonnes) than the lowest - Hackney (4.4 tonnes) each year

Commenting, Liberal Democrat President Simon Hughes MP, who is representing the Liberal Democrats on the march said:

"All of us across the United Kingdom must now take action to reduce drastically Britain's carbon emissions. Very simple measures can make the difference and the Government should reward these financially wherever possible.

"We need green taxes to encourage all of us who drive to move to more environmentally-friendly vehicles, and we need much more eco-friendly aviation.

"In a fairer and greener country income tax for average families and the least well off should come down and taxes on environmentally harmful activities should go up."