UK Millenium Dome Undermines Climate Success

["greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

Dome Decision Undermines Climate Success

UK, March 13, 1998 - Greenpeace today expressed outrage at a
decision by the New Millennium Experience Company to use the
environmentally damaging gas, HFC, in the Dome's air
conditioning system. This decision has been made despite the
fact that HFCs are 1,300 times more damaging to the climate than
carbon dioxide and environmentally benign alternatives are
readily available.

Greenpeace campaigner Doug Parr said: " We would expect better
from Labour, which is supposedly putting environment at the
heart of Government. It seems instead to be putting
environmental devastation at the heart of the Dome. It is deeds
that count not words."

The use of HFCs in such a high profile, prestigious project as
the Millennium Dome completely undermines the international
agreement to bring greenhouse gases under regulatory control,
negotiated at Kyoto last December.  Deputy Prime Minister, John
Prescott, fought hard and long in difficult circumstances to
broker the agreement only to see it being undermined by a fellow
Minister today.

Doug Parr adds: "Peter Mandelson's pet project will undermine
John Prescott's achievements on climate change. The decision to
put HFCs in the Dome sends entirely the wrong signal to industry
about what they should be doing."

Greenpeace has obtained evidence from companies that
alternative, more environmentally benign, technologies can do
the job.

Greenpeace is calling for John Prescott to intervene and ensure
that the decision is reversed.

Ends


Notes to Editors:

Greenpeace has received written evidence from 3 companies that
they are willing and able to take on the required work for the
air conditioning for the Dome. These are far more
environmentally benign. The companies concerned are: York UK,
Bonus and Combined Power Systems Ltd.

Greenpeace on the Internet at http://www.greenpeace.org