The Labour Government have used the environment as a fig-leaf to mask a barrage of new taxes - such as their energy tax and their exorbitant levels of fuel taxation

Damien Green

When a house is empty, electricity generated would flow into the national grid.

And solar panels could be offered as an integral part of new homes, Mr Green said.

Renewable forms of energy would benefit with 100% capital allowances for offshore wind projects, he said.

Climate change scrapped

Mr Green pledged the next Conservative administration to scrapping the government's climate change levy which he said "will do nothing to stop climate change".

He said: "We will release the energy of British business to develop new ways of generating clean power.

"The Labour Government have used the environment as a fig-leaf to mask a barrage of new taxes - such as their energy tax and their exorbitant levels of fuel taxation.

"By contrast the next Conservative Government will show we can protect our planet without it costing the earth."

Mr Green also mocked Labour saying that Prime Minister Tony Blair "cares as much about the future of our planet as he does about Mo Mowlam's future career prospects".

He also urged Tory representatives at the party conference in Bournemouth to vote out Liberal Democrat councils and "get rid of the noxious hot air released in your area".

Greening the Tories

For the first time, the Tories allowed three green pressure groups to speak directly to the Conference explaining their policies via video.

Friends of the Earth's Charles Secrett urged the Tories to adhere to what he said was a promise both by John Major and William Hague to reduce the number of journeys by car.

And Graham Wynn of the RSPB said he wanted "hard-headed action to reform agricultural policies" which had a bad effect on the nations bird life.

Contributors from the conference floor called for action on areas as diverse as litter on the streets to eviction notices for travellers and redevelopment of the inner cities.

Nick Pagett-Brown - who is on the Conservative's approved candidates list - called for the imposition of VAT on greenfield development.

Wood-burning stoves

Among other proposals put out for consultation by the Tories are: