The Greens would ditch Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant | Damian Carrington

Guardian experts give their view on the main parties' public service manifesto pledges. Here, our environment editor looks at energy, pollution and recycling

" Denis Campbell on health
" David Brindle on social care
" Patrick Butler on social security
" Dawn Foster on housing
" Anna Bawden on local government
" Frances Ryan on disability
" Alan Travis on criminal justice and immigration
" Jane Dudman on the civil service
" Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

New support for fracking to extract shale and coal seam gas is the most striking pledge from the Conservatives, with the easing of planning rules, a new dedicated regulator and more of any future tax revenues going directly to communities hosting shale gas sites. Wind power remains ruled out in England, but offshore wind farms are supported. The energy efficiency of all fuel-poor homes would be upgraded to meet energy performance certificate (EPC) band C criteria by 2030. There is no environment section in the manifesto and the UK's air pollution crisis gets a single sentence: "We will take action against poor air quality in urban areas." A free vote on repealing the ban on fox hunting with dogs is promised.