IEMA Summer Budget Reaction: 'This is far from a green budget'

Reacting the delivery of the UK Summer Budget by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, IEMA’s Nick Blyth said:

“IEMA supports the clear commitment from the UK Government to push for a global climate deal that keeps the goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees firmly within reach.

“However, in other respects this is far from a green budget and we have concern over the Government’s commitment to the green economy. The Chancellor’s clear statement that the government will not extend the Coalition government’s commitment to increasing the proportion of revenue from environmental taxes to this Parliament is a backwards step.

The announcement that the government will review the business energy efficiency tax and carbon reporting landscape and consider approaches to simplify and improve the effectiveness of the regime receives a cautious welcome. The majority of IEMA Members do believe there is a need for the Government to rationalise the number of energy and carbon schemes affecting the very largest organisations and we look forward to the Autumn consultation.”