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UK risks missing energy targets
14th August 2004
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) welcomes fresh calls for increased environmental taxation to encourage energy efficiency and increase the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. This follows today’s publication of the Environmental Audit Committee’s report into the progress of Government’s current environmental policies.
EST is calling for the introduction of specific fiscal incentives, otherwise the UK currently risks failing to meet the energy efficiency targets laid out in last year’s Energy White Paper. EST believes these targets are still attainable, but that the Government is currently missing a golden opportunity to make energy efficiency cheaper, easier and more accessible for the general public. By embracing energy efficiency, each UK household can save £200 annually on their fuel bills.
Fiscal incentives being proposed by EST include:
· A revised Stamp Duty system which encourages householders to introduce energy saving measures such as cavity wall insulation
· A new 10% surcharge on the cost of inefficient domestic appliances – saving consumers £56 million a year in fuel bills
· An inefficiency charge of 50 pence on standard tungsten GLS bulbs – which could result in fuel bill savings of around £43million per year
Philip Sellwood, EST’s Chief Executive, commented, “Government has to take the lead in encouraging consumers to opt for energy efficiency and we are convinced that tax incentives should play a central role in this. We have seen environmental taxes work before – company car tax is one example – but we feel that the Government is missing out on other opportunities to introduce fiscal measures. Government has a responsibility to discourage consumers, especially those on a low income, from purchasing products that will cost them more over the long term.”
“Last year’s Energy White Paper put energy efficiency at the heart of Government policy for the first time. However, if we’re to meet the ambitious targets set out, such as cutting CO2 emissions by 60 percent by 2050, then we — the consumers, energy suppliers and Government — must work together to help reduce the effects that reckless energy use is having on our environment.”
