The climate can wait

by | Dec 1, 2008


Today, the UK Government’s Committee on Climate Change will release a 500-page report telling us all we need to slash our carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and that switching to cleaner cars is crucial if the target is to be achieved. Last week, however, the same UK Government, in its pre-budget report, scrapped plans to raise vehicle excise duty by £90 for high polluting cars and delayed a £15 tax break for drivers of greener cars. In the Sunday Times, Frank Sangster of KPMG argued: “The Chancellor has effectively decided to prioritise fiscal sustainability over environmental sustainability. Drivers of gasguzzling 4x4s are thus getting off lightly.”

So much for joined-up government.

Author

  • Mark Weston is a writer, researcher and consultant working on public health, justice, youth employability and other global issues. He lives in Sudan, and is the author of two books on Africa – The Ringtone and the Drum and African Beauty.


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