Green Budget? What Green Budget?

March 12th 2008

"It's something - but Darling could've done much better.

A truly green budget wouldn't have ducked the issue of taxing airlines. It seems the speed by which we get through an airport is more important than the fact we are going through at all! Airplane emissions must be part of carbon trading schemes - we must end the ridiculous situation where they sit outside of every single measure to reduce emissions... stop the hand wringing, and stuff Michael O'Leary's whinging...

After a year when record profits have gone hand-in-hand with record price hikes, and disappointing investment in renewable energy, not imposing a windfall tax on energy companies is a missed opportunity. The Big Six will continue to run rings around the government and the industry regulator. We pay far more for our energy than anyone else in Europe and there's no reason for it. British consumers are paying through the nose and the money finds its way to European companies whose markets aren't open the other way.

£26 million to 'green' existing housing stock? That's just over £1 a house. All new-build to be carbon zero by 2019? More than ten years away - and in the meantime upping targets to 80% carbon reductions by 2050.

The Government simply don't get it - it's all about consumption and growth to them - not true sustainability."

Dale Vince, MD Ecotricity