‘Ideology a red herring in reducing emissions’
KATE Andrews, economics editor for The Spectator, proclaimed on the BBC’S Any Questions programme that Britain’s success in reducing carbon emissions was largely down to the actions of individuals and not the Government.
What planet is she on? Clearly, this is a case of ideology taking precedence over rather basic facts.
Were individuals responsible for the clean energy that now provides more electricity than gas? Did we as individuals have a role in almost eliminating coal power stations? No, it’s large-scale wind and solar that’ve done the heavy lifting.
Did she not notice that rapid progress on home insulation came to a halt when David Cameron decided to stop government support? We still have the mostly poorly insulated homes in Europe.
Does she not accept that it will take legislation to ensure that new homes are truly energy efficient and that all landlords improve their properties?
A good proportion of the apparent progress we’ve made on reducing our emissions results from the offshoring of much of our heavy industry.
That’s false accounting in my book and neither is it something many of us feel able to do much about as individuals.
Have we stopped buying things made in China? Far from it, but the Government could level the playing field by imposing effective carbon border taxes.
Opinions from the likes of Kate Andrews have way too much influence on Tory policy. We desperately need a Government that will base decisions on the analysis of the Climate Change Committee, not political ideology from The Spectator.