- Leading think tank slams decision to cut domestic air
passenger duty just days ahead of COP26
The head of IPPR’s landmark Environmental Justice Commission
responds to the budget, warning that the Chancellor missed the
opportunity to set our world leading climate investments ahead of
the COP26 global climate summit next week.
Luke Murphy, head of the IPPR Environmental Justice Commission,
said:
“Today the Chancellor declared the UK was entering an ‘age of
optimism’ but instead he used the budget to extend the ages of
fossil fuels.
“Cutting air passenger duty was the most significant new policy
mentioned in the budget speech today which will have an impact on
greenhouse gas emissions – and it will increase them. talked for longer about beer
duty, than our duty to future generations to address the climate
and nature crises.
“The truth is, this climate-void, fossil-fuel heavy budget failed
to deliver the necessary £30 billion of investment needed each
year to meet our climate and nature targets.
“Investing in a green economy would have been the fiscally
responsible thing to do, avoiding the huge costs of inaction, and
maximising the benefits and opportunities of the transition. Our
research shows that 1.7 million jobs could be created by 2035 in
sectors from transport to home retrofit and low carbon
electricity.”
“This budget was an own goal for a government that should be
leading the world, ahead of the all-important global climate
summit COP26, into a new low carbon age.”
