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Getting prices right

Most of us want to make the green choice but it's often difficult or expensive.

Two men installing solar panels on a roof

Solar panels: the Government could make them cheaper

Is going green difficult?

Making the green choice can be hard because:

  • Costs are upfront
    There aren't enough grants to help you insulate your home.
  • Don't get a fair price for going green         
    Homes selling green electricity to the grid get paid a pittance.
  • Green alternatives can be more expensive
    The cost of travel by bus and train has gone up faster than the cost of going by car. 

Strong role for Government

The Government needs to make it cheaper and easier to take the green option. It needs to:

  • Change how it raises taxes.
  • Green all public spending.
  • Make new green laws.

German case study

In Germany, households are paid a premium price when they sell renewable electricity back to the grid.

As a result millions of homes have solar panels, creating a massive new industry.

It's a great example of green win-win

Did you know?

The German renewable industry makes more than £19 billion/year, compared with just £0.3 billion in the UK (and employs 36x as many people).

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety

Going green is a great way to save money - and there's a lot the Government could do to help business and individuals:
  • Give people tax breaks
    - for taking the green option.
  • Increase taxes on pollution
    -  but link these to tax cuts on jobs and income.
  • Increase greener spending
    - on energy efficiency and public transport.

Friends of the Earth says:

  • Everyone could have an energy efficient home with renewable technology.

Making it cheaper and easier to go green is not just good for people, it will be good for the UK economy too.

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Last modified: December 2009