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Chancellor ducks climate challenge
2 July 1997
Friends of the Earth today welcomed the green principles contained in today's Budget but accused the Chancellor of ducking the opportunity to tackle climate change through green tax reform. The Chancellor has slashed domestic fuel prices but delivered little to cut emissions of gases which cause climate change - despite the Prime Ministers' 'green leadership' at the Earth Summit in New York last week. Increasing the road fuel price escalator is unlikely to deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions without measures to support public transport or complementary taxes on car parking, company cars and gas guzzlers.
Uta Bellion, Campaigns and Policy Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
"We welcome the green principles espoused by the Chancellor but there is a significant gap between words and action. This budget will do little to combat climate change - the greatest environmental threat facing the Earth. The budget will also do little to curb the car - an increase in fuel prices on its own will not get people out of their vehicles."
The Chancellor made great play of his desire to increase investment but the measures introduced will simply encourage more "business as usual" rather than a dynamic sustainable economy that invests in jobs and environmental improvement together.
The Government failed to reduce VAT on energy conserving products despite cutting VAT on fuel and abolishing the gas levy - a perverse incentive for householders to burn fossil fuel rather than saving it.
Uta Bellion, Campaigns and Policy Director at Friends of the Earth, continued:
"A few eco-friendly measures do not make a green budget. The Government is clearly inching forward on green budgetary measures but must put its foot on the accelerator if the planet is to be saved. We will be expecting much more in spring 1998 than the few green shoots promised today."
ENDS
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Dec 2008
