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The government is likely to miss more than half of the environmental targets it has set since it came to power, but has been most successful in meeting waste targets, according to research by Policy Exchange.

The think-tank's study, which examined 132 government white papers and speeches from 1997 to 2008, found that 67% of 27 waste targets had been met or were likely to be met.

However, 19% had failed or were likely to fail, and 15% of waste targets were unable to be examined.

One waste target that the researchers found was unlikely to be met was to reduce the use of single-use shopping bags by 25% by the end of 2008, through a retailer commitment.

In transport, the government had met just 17% of targets, compared with 17% for water, 25% for biodiversity, 31% for rural and 35% for climate change.

The report said: "The key differences between waste and other less successful policy areas are that targets were set well in advance and on an escalating scale.

"Also targets were underpinned by a clear and powerful policy commitment in the form of the Landfill Tax Escalator."