EST warns UK risks failing to meet energy targets without environmental taxation

Citation

(2004), "EST warns UK risks failing to meet energy targets without environmental taxation", Structural Survey, Vol. 22 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2004.11022eab.006

EST warns UK risks failing to meet energy targets without environmental taxation

EST warns UK risks failing to meet energy targets without environmental taxation

Keywords: Environmental taxation, Energy saving

The Energy Saving Trust has welcomed fresh calls for increased environmental taxation to encourage energy efficiency and increase the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. This follows 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:

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  A revised Stamp Duty system which encourages householders to introduce energy saving measures such as cavity wall insulation.

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  A new 10 percent surcharge on the cost of inefficient domestic appliances – saving consumers £56 million a year in fuel bills.

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  An inefficiency charge of 50 pence on standard tungsten GLS bulbs – which could result in fuel bill savings of around £43 million per year.