A critique of Tony Blair's green credentials by Britain's leading environmentalist accuses his government of being dangerously deluded in its belief that it is making people's lives better while protecting the planet.

Government Response: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

A spokesperson for DEFRA told ePolitix.com: " We welcome the report, this is just what the prime minister asked the Sustainable Development Commission to do, which is to look at the progress government is making and to point out in a fair and constructive way how government can do better, just as we did when we published governments own annual report on sustainable development last month.

"The sustainable development commission points to some areas where progress has been made and some areas where we have not made as much  progress as we would have liked.

"The government will be launching a review of sustainable development next week and this report along with the report from the Sustainable Development Commission will have a major part to play along with everyone else in the country."

Forum Response: Woodland Trust

Dr James Cooper of the Woodland Trust told ePolitix.com: "This is a timely report which makes some very well founded points. There is a need for much greater impetus in the government's approach to tackling environmental problems and this is especially so with regard to tackling climate change where the Avaition White Paper for example was a notably missed opportunity, the result of which will be a significant increase in damaging greenhouse gas emissions.

"We hope that the government will take the opportunity of the revision of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy to inject a new urgency into its approach to the environment.

"This means ensuring that it is placed firmly at the centre of its overall policy agenda rather than opting for the 'modest incrementalism' described in the report".

Forum Response: Envirowise

Dr Martin Gibson director of Envirowise told ePolitix.com: "The report by the Sustainable Development Commission provides an
important focus for future policy and action. 

"As the report clearly states, the UK is one of very few governments anywhere in the world that have established a strategy and framework for guiding and monitoring progress towards sustainable development. 

"There has been some significant progress on several aspects of sustainability in the UK.  However, it is clear that much more need to be done if we are to create a truly sustainable economy.

"In talking to companies, Envirowise has found two important issues often arise:

"1. Many companies want to take action but do not know what they should do or how;

"2. When push comes to shove, pure financial factors often take precedence over wider sustainability considerations.

"We are heartened by the fact that so many companies are interesting in improving their environmental performance.  Envirowise can help companies to undertake practical actions that will improve the sustainability of their businesses within the wider context of sustainable development.

"A framework for measuring company performance that takes proper consideration of all three pillars of sustainability - economic, environmental and social - would undoubtedly play an important part in helping companies focus on longer term sustainability. 

"Companies that focus solely on short-term financial performance are likely to suffer in the longer term as environmental and social issues become insurmountable.

"One of the best ways of getting started with improving environmental performance is to improve resource efficiency.  This can lead to substantial cost savings.  Envirowise provides free advice and guidance on resource efficiency based on the experience of a wide range of companies."

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Rita Singh, head of environment and industry performance at the Construction Products Association told ePolitix.com: "The Construction Products Association welcomes the Report from the Sustainable Development Commission, which reviews the government’s progress over the last five years on its Sustainable Development Strategy.