UK should get into gear and give green cash incentives

The UK should follow the example of the US and give cash incentives for householders to go green, says a Midlands environment expert.

Ron Fox was commenting on the US Senate recent decision to approve a 700 billion dollar (£577 bn) economic package that includes $369bn for climate action – the largest environmental investment in American history.

Some households could receive up to $7,500 in tax credits to buy an electric car, or $4,000 for a used car while billions will also be spent in an effort to speed up the production of clean technology such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Electricity generating companies will get ten years of tax credits to supply extra wind and solar power, which will lead to more renewable energy being supplied to the market, instead of carbon-damaging gas and coal.

Picture: Wikipedia.

There will also be $60bn given to communities that have suffered the most from fossil fuel pollution, while President Joe Biden has recently announced $2.2bn to help build infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather and natural disaster

This latest move will also penalise businesses responsible for methane leaks and there will be $20bn to cut emissions in agriculture.

The authors of the Bill, which took 18 months of intense wrangling and was passed by a margin of just 51-50, say it will cut the country’s carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2030.

“It is a tried and tested approach – putting cash in the hands of voters – but I am sure it will be a success,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park. “I think the UK Government should also consider some of these incentives.” 

Ron said although it wasn’t the $3.5tn climate package that Joe Biden promised when he became president it the most ambitious action the US has taken to try to stop the planet overheating. The world’s temperatures have already gone up by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and could reach 2.4C this century unless world governments cut their fossil fuels drastically. 

He added that this move will also show the US is leading by example and will encourage other countries such as India and Brazil to follow their example.

However, he pointed out that there were still tensions with China after senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s recent trip to Taiwan and this has delayed progress on climate discussions between them.

Also, many poorer and vulnerable countries are wondering why the US and other rich countries have failed to keep their promise to help them with $100bn of climate finance.

“But it is encouraging that the US is setting an example in cutting carbon emissions and wanting other countries to follow suit,” added Ron, “or as one Democratic senator put it succinctly ‘You can’t preach temperance from a bar stool’.”

For more information on how to cut your carbon footprint in your own home and business, call Ron on 01782 756995. 

Caption: The UK should follow American President Joe Biden’s green cash incentives. Picture: Wikipedia.