Large companies would be forced to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions to a common standard under proposals by Conservative Party think tank the Quality of Life Policy Group. The Group, chaired by former environment minister John Gummer, was formed by David Cameron to provide independent input to the Conservatives on every aspect of the “quality of life” agenda.
The Group’s report said action needs to be taken to break the chain of “carbon apathy” between sources of capital and the companies they own. To this end it is also recommended that pension fund trustees be made to consider climate change when making investments.
Recommendations also address the airline industry — a major and rising source of carbon emissions — with a proposal to reform air passenger duty as per-flight rather than per-passenger, in order to reflect emissions more closely and give airlines an incentive to fill empty planes. A moratorium on planned airport expansion is also proposed.
This report received the qualified backing of both business and environmental groups. Michael Roberts, director of business environment at the Confederation of British Industry, said: “We agree with John Gummer that there does not have to be a contradiction between greenness and economic success … But not every idea is a runner, and it is not clear how a carrot and stick approach that remains tax neutral will hang together as a whole …
See full Article.
Posts
