ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners made a flying visit through Dudley, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge to urge MPs and Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stop ignoring aviation emissions.

Friends of the Earth want the Government's new Climate Change Law to cover all sources of carbon dioxide emissions, including the UK's share of emissions from international flights and shipping.

Campaigners stopped off in Market Street in Stourbridge, at Brierley Hill's Moor Street Shopping Centre and Dudley marketplace on Friday April 4 to hand out leaflets and encourage members of the public to sign postcards supporting the pressure group's Big Ask campaign calling for the Climate Change Law to be toughened so the UK plays a full part in tackling climate change.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Guy Sheppard from Kingswinford said: "It's crazy for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions from planes and ships from the new Climate Change Law but that's what he is doing.

"Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry? "We hope our local MPs will use their votes to call for a Climate Change law covering all emissions."

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho, Dudley South MP Ian Pearson and Dudley North MP Ian Austin have chance to vote on the law when it is debated in Parliament later this month.

Lynda Waltho has already signed a parliamentary petition supporting the inclusion of aviation emissions in the Climate Law.

She said: "My constituents tell me they are worried about climate change and want to see the government take action.

"That is why I will be voting for a strong Climate Change Law which commits the UK to cutting its emissions by at least three per cent annually and which covers all emissions - including the UK's share of emissions from international aviation and shipping."

At present, the proposed law excludes international aviation and shipping even though the Government already publishes figures on aviation emissions.

Friends of the Earth says there is no practical reason why they cannot be included from the outset and a way of including shipping emissions should be worked out as a matter of urgency.