WWF-UK BUDGET REACTION

24 Mar 2011 02:20 PM

Earlier this week, WWF-UK welcomed the Prime Minister’s reaffirmation, in a video message supporting WWF’s Earth Hour, that he hopes to preside over the ‘greenest Government ever’. Today’s budget has been a considerable challenge to that aspiration, as WWF-UK’s head of public affairs Margaret Ounsley comments:

“The Chancellor made much play on the idea of "start-up Britain", so we would have liked to see him go a lot further in encouraging green enterprise; there is a Green Investment Bank, which is good, but it cannot borrow until 2015, which is not.”

“While many will welcome the suspension of fuel duty, there is little about moving the consumer from dependency on oil in the long run. The new carbon floor price is useful but will actually subsidise existing nuclear power plants and this needs to be addressed."

REACTION IN FURTHER DETAIL:

Darren Shirley, campaign manager for sustainable homes on ZERO CARBON HOMES:
“Back in July, the Minister for Housing gave his commitment that from 2016, new homes would not add extra carbon to the atmosphere. Tucked away in today’s budget is a totally unacceptable announcement that fully reneges on this promise. The Government has undermined a unique example of the UK leading with a unique policy in Europe. ‘Zero carbon’ new homes are now nothing of the sort.”

“Additionally, today’s hidden announcement undermines the growth of an industry that was driving innovation to deliver low carbon products and services. The industry now faces uncertainty and British SMEs that have grown to meet demand may find themselves without a market.”
and on THE GREEN DEAL:
“NGOs, businesses and trade associations have all highlighted the need to have incentives in place for the Green Deal’s launch in 2012. The Chancellor seems to have taken this on board, but details were scarce in the Chancellor’s statement and analysis of the detail will be needed as it emerges.”

Robert Nash, capital accountability policy officer on the GREEN INVESTMENT BANK:
"It’s pleasing to see the Government taking action to set up a proper Green Investment Bank and to increase the amount of capital it will receive in this Parliament. This will be a vital step in meeting the UK's renewable energy and energy efficiency objectives and kick-starting green economic growth.”
“However, it is crucial that the GIB has the power to borrow in order to raise large amounts of private finance. To deliver big renewables projects by 2020, this will need to get underway as soon as possible. The decision to bring forward to 2012 the date when the GIB will open for business is welcome, but we would urge the Government to ensure that the Bank is established by legislation and empowered to issue bonds as soon as possible, rather than waiting until 2015."

Keith Allot, head of climate change on the CARBON FLOOR PRICE:
“One perverse outcome of the carbon floor price will be an unintentional subsidy for existing nuclear power stations. This is highly undesirable, especially given that the nuclear industry has been bankrolled by the taxpayer many times over. A windfall tax is required to address this and should be used, together with revenues raised through the carbon price, to boost energy efficiency and emerging renewable technologies.”

Jean Leston, transport policy officer on FUEL DUTY:
“Measures that ease the pain on consumers of fuel will be popular. However, they do nothing to wean the UK off a dangerous reliance on oil. We need a long-term strategy for an efficient, low-carbon transport system. How does the Government hope to reduce oil consumption and achieve this?”

and on AIR PASSENGER DUTY:
“The Government is keeping the door open regarding a future per plane tax, which is good. This is the best way to ensure that planes are full and that the polluter pays. Meanwhile, we are pleased that APD has been retained and that the planned rise has only been postponed by a few months. A tax on private jet travel is obviously welcome, which is currently APD-exempt.”

Emmalene Gottwald, senior planning advisor on PLANNING:
"Government measures to prioritise economic growth should not be at the expense of the environment. We view with concern the weakening of the protection provided by the planning system which threatens both local democracy and the quality of life for people in the areas affected. The Localism Bill must define what sustainable development means for the presumption in favour of sustainable development to work."