Green tax revolt: Britons 'will not foot bill to save planet'

[GaryC 7]

Green tax revolt: Britons 'will not foot bill to save planet'

Majority of Britons are opposed to increases in green taxation

AP

72 per cent of people are not willing to pay more in green taxes like the congestion charge

Friday, 2 May 2008

More than seven in 10 voters insist that they would not be willing to pay higher taxes in order to fund projects to combat climate change, according to a new poll.

The survey also reveals that most Britons believe "green" taxes on 4x4s, plastic bags and other consumer goods have been imposed to raise cash rather than change our behaviour, while two-thirds of Britons think the entire green agenda has been hijacked as a ploy to increase taxes.

The findings make depressing reading for green campaigners, who have spent recent months urging the Government to take far more radical action to reduce Britain's carbon footprint. The UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, a target that most experts believe will be difficult to reach. The results of the poll by Opinium, a leading research company, indicate that maintaining popular support for green policies may be a difficult act to pull off, and attempts in the future to curb car use and publicly fund investment in renewable resources will prove deeply unpopular.

The implications of the poll could also blow a hole in the calculations of the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, who was forced to delay a scheduled 2p-a-litre rise in fuel duty until the autumn in his spring Budget, while his plans to impose a showroom tax and higher vehicle excise duty on gas-guzzling cars will not take effect for a year. He is now under pressure to shelve the increase in fuel duty because of the steep rise in the price of oil.

The public's climate-change scepticism extends to the recent floods which inundated much of the West Country, and reported signs of changes in the cycle of the seasons. Just over a third of respondents (34 per cent) believe that extreme weather is becoming more common but has nothing to do with global warming. One in 10 said that they believed that climate change is totally natural.

The over-55s are most cynical about the effects of global warming with 43 per cent believing that extreme weather and global warming are unconnected.

Three in 10 (29 per cent) of all respondents would oppose any more legislation in support of green policies, while close to a third of citizens (31 per cent) believe that green taxes will have no discernible effect on the environment since people will still take long-haul flights regularly and drive carbon-heavy vehicles.

Mike Childs, the head of campaigns for Friends of the Earth, blamed the Government for generating a cynical response to "green taxes". "People do get cynical unless they see benefits," he said. "The Government is playing a dangerous game. They are using climate change to identify potential new taxes and revenues but the public aren't seeing anything in return. The public aren't being helped to go green. The Government could put a windfall tax on the big oil companies and use that money to insulate homes or introduce a feed-in tariff to pay people to produce renewable energy."

Mark Hodson, of Opinium Research, said: "Britain appears to be feeling increasingly negative about being more carbon neutral. We are questioning the truth behind being greener and many feel that Government is creating a green fear for monetary gain."

The findings were released as the Prince of Wales yesterday called on Britain's business leaders to take "essential action" to make their firms more sustainable. Speaking in central London to some of the country's leading chief executives, Prince Charles said: "What more can I do but urge you, this country's business leaders, to take the essential action now to make your businesses more sustainable. I'm exhausted with repeating that there really is no time to lose."

Also attending the May Day Business Summit, the Prime Minister promised the Government will set out a "credible" long-term policy framework to help industry develop innovative low-carbon, resource-efficient products and services.

He outlined the recommendations of a report, Building a Low Carbon Economy, for creating a "green" economy, including "seeking to encourage changes in consumer behaviour".

Gordon Brown said: "We know that we will only succeed if individuals and communities, as well as Government and business, are part of the solution."

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, said: "The Government is committed to building a low-carbon economy, here and around the world. That means a complete change in the way we live and an economic transformation that will put Britain at the forefront of a technological revolution in the way we use and source our energy."

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/c...net-819703.html

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Selfish bastards.

[GaryC 7]

Selfish bastards.

Three cheers for the Brits!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I'm all for reducing the use of plastic bags, cutting down on emissions, etc. etc....but I, too, do not think taxation is the answer. It's been the government's answer for everything the past few years and it's getting ridiculous.

And, of course, not only have prices/taxes risen, but the fuel/etc. companies continue to post 'record profits!' and pat themselves on the back and give the bosses huge bonuses while the consumer and lower-down employees get nothing. The South-East has a hosing ban imposed on them almost every summer because companies like Thames Water lose about 1/3 of their stored water to leaks, yet the water company has been making large profits...consumers there think, why not use that money to repair some of the leaks, instead of further restricting our use?

I also don't think that what the individual person can do will make much difference if businesses don't change their tactics. I recycle at home, but that doesn't even begin to offset the amount of paper that I know my company throws away each day.

[britty 1]

Lets hope that the Brits start a revolt. Too long have we sat under a government that would tax the air we breathe to increase revenue. The Govenment is a frightened, quivering wreck, terrified to take any action on the issues that actually impact taxes, and instead dream up a "green" taxation that hopefully will make the Brits forget that immigration, free healthcare, and government assistance to people supporting 8 wives, has made sure that taxes are out of control. Gordon Brown is a useless piece of flesh, and needs to get the hell out of office. Lets put some hardliners in who can shake up the system, take back the wasted millions, and get the country back on its feet. Im ashamed that Britain is such a hole.