Stern Climate Change Report: Brown's Green Taxes a 'Poor' Response
Mon., October 30, 2006. 16:54.
Greens call for year-on-year pollution reduction targets and a halt to airport and motorway expansion
Green MSPs welcome the publication of a report by former Chief Economist at the World Bank, Sir Nicholas Stern, which says that the global economy could tumble into a catastrophic global recession unless serious action is taken to reduce climate change pollution. Greens say that the UK government's response, to raise taxes, will do little to substantially tackle the problem.
They want year-on-year reduction targets set by government, legislation they have already proposed in the Scottish Parliament, and for a review of all government spending to ensure all policies reduce carbon. The report, say Greens, casts another shadow over the Labour and Libdem Scottish Executive's obsession with building new motorways and expanding airports.
Mark Ruskell MSP, Green Speaker on Climate Change, who has already proposed legislation in the parliament calling for year-on-year reduction targets on climate emissions, said: "This report puts it bluntly - act or face disaster. It is no longer possible to pretend that we can't do anything about climate change because it might damage the economy. That is a false choice. Climate change will wreck the economy and it is those who question tough action that are grinding our economy to a halt. Greens have always believed that a strong economy is one that is built on a foundation of secure, safe and sustainable energy sources. Much more needs to be done than simply raising taxes."
Scottish Green Party Co-convener Robin Harper MSP said: "It’s great that people are sitting up and taking notice of climate change, but the response from government, both at Westminster and Holyrood has been pitiful to date. Limited green taxes are all very well, but their impact will be dwarfed by the massive investment in new motorways like the M74 and tripling the number of passengers flying out of central belt airports. I fear that the reality of the so called Green Taxes will be to shore up business-as-usual whilst raising some money, and is a typical Treasury reaction. There are hard choices ahead about how we limit the amount of carbon we emit - which will require more than a bit of fiscal tinkering. A much bigger action plan is needed across all government to drive spending in the right areas."
The Stern report was commissioned by the UK Treasury and is published today. The report says that unchecked, climate change will cost the world up to £3.68 trillion unless it is tackled within a decade, and also that it will cost 20 times less to take early and effective action. Sir Nicholas Stern warns that climate change could trigger a catastrophic global economic recession and hit poorest countries hardest and earliest resulting in 200 million refugees.
Notes to editors
To view the report go to: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.