The Daily Express has launched a campaign to make Britain greener, in a bid to curb the devastating effects of climate change. Ministers could take a number of initiatives to make the country greener, such as slashing VAT on low carbon goods, protecting greenbelt and blue belt areas, making electric cars more accessible and keeping the UK’s air clean.
Experts have suggested consumers could become more motivated to make greener choices if VAT is cut for low carbon or carbon zero goods.
The current tax regime holds back progress towards our national green targets while giving an edge to conventional high carbon products and rewarding polluters.
For example, solar panels are currently taxed at 20 percent VAT, while domestic coal – which produces harmful emissions – is charged at five percent.
As a result, the Daily Express is asking if VAT should be cut for low carbon or carbon zero goods?
The UK Government had previously claimed it was unable to alter VAT due to EU laws.
But now Britain has freed itself from the EU shackles, UK ministers are free to reform the current tax system.
Campaigners have also called for the UK to expand its blue belt of protected marine areas and ensure the rules are enforced.
They claim it is essential to protect key species such as turtles, whales, fish, seabirds as well as wider marine life.
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This newspaper is interested to know if, at the moment, you would drive an electric car?
As part of its drive to boost the electric vehicle market, the Government has also pledged to rapidly increase the number of available charging points for electric vehicles.
At present just 35,000 public chargers are available, but the UK is estimated to need 400,000 of them by 2030.
If the rollout of charging points isn’t accelerated, small towns and rural areas could become electric vehicle “charging blackspots” and those who live in those areas will be discouraged from switching to electric cars.
At the moment, is there an electric car charging point available to the public within a reasonable distance of your home?
Another way the UK could boost its efforts to tackle the climate crisis is to enforce better clean air standards.
Britain can work to reduce air pollution from traffic and buildings, and take action when it exceeds guidelines set by the World Health Organisation.
Campaigners have called on Boris Johnson to commit to clean air targets by 2030, especially after a coroner concluded that Ella Kissi Debrah, a nine-year-old from south London, died as a result of levels of air pollution.
In response, do you think enough is being done to keep the UK’s air clean?
