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At a time when it is becoming increasingly critical for concerted action on climate change, our country's green policies are going backwards.
Last week I referred to the fact that a recent survey suggested that companies were paying mere lip service to green issues. The study indicated most green fleet policies were aimed at improving corporate image rather than actually reducing the all-important carbon footprint. Now it would seem Government is getting in on the act.
At a time when it is becoming increasingly critical for concerted action on climate change, our country's green policies are going backwards. Transport secretary, Ruth Kelly has ruled out, for the foreseeable future, national road pricing as a way of cutting traffic volumes and emissions. Okay, I agree with that one. I have argued from the word go that was a non-starter. However, no alternative has been put on the table.
Clearly, Government is afraid to attack at the source, namely the fuel pumps, but that patently is the road to go down to make people think twice about whether their car journeys are necessary. So how does Government propose to reduce emissions? We wait with baited breath while the planet gets hotter, and our climate with it. The only sound declaration is a widening of motorways, by greater use of the hard shoulder at peak times, following a successful pilot in the Midlands.
Meanwhile, 'open skies' at the end of the month will see a 25% increase in transatlantic flights to and from Heathrow, adding up to 524 extra flight per month. At the same time, a record number of new air links will open from the UK to Europe this summer with 100 short-haul routes to be launched to the Continent. Apparently, we cannot get enough of our plane journeys, as well as our car journeys.
Again, Ruth Kelly has advised that the Government does not intend doing anything about this unprecedented growth. There will be no action to curb flights for fear of other airlines stepping into the breach. An increase in aviation duty should be the bare minimum. The opportunities to fly for a short-breaks to city venues for stag and hen parties is spiralling out of control, as are those embarking on such trips, who end up contacting the British Embassy over their personal disasters while at the same time giving our nation a terrible reputation abroad.
Worst of all, the Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has attacked the Government over its failure to meet the challenges of climate change. The EAC has revealed that green taxes have fallen from 9.7% in 1999 to 7.3% last year. By comparison, carbon emissions from road transport between 1997 and 2006 rose by 12%. Its chairman, Tim Yeo has called for significant increases in rates of taxation on flights and planned increases in fuel duty. He stated that Government lacked ambition and imagination on green taxation while also criticising the Government for failing to produce a joined-up transport policy. How many times have we heard that one?
The window of opportunity to do something about climate change will not be open for long according to a declaration this week from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. What we need is a builder who understands what sustainable materials to use and a framework, which joins everything up into a green whole.
Whatever your political persuasion, the colour should be green.
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