UK green stimulus package inadequate, say MPs

Publication date: 18 March 2009

A package of green fiscal stimulus measures announced by the British government in November is "too small" to achieve its goal of a low carbon economy, according to a report published by a UK parliamentary committee on Monday (EE 25/11/08).

The environmental audit committee called for a "more strategic approach towards funding the transition to a low carbon economy" and a comparison of UK spending in this area with that of other G20 countries.

Earlier this month the government unveiled its vision for making such a transition (EE 06/03/09). But it was criticised by some environmentalists for failing to propose concrete measures and sufficient investment to achieve this.

The committee also questioned the net environmental impact of the government's wider economic recovery plan, given that it includes hundreds of millions of euros for road building schemes. The next budget in April should include a "much bigger and more coherent package of green fiscal stimulus measures", it added.

Follow Up:

UK environmental audit committee, and report. See also press release from the UK environmental industries commission.

Source: ENDS