Environment Secretary raises prospect of domestic carbon quotas
Fri 21 July 2006
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The new Environment Secretary, David Miliband, has outlined a vision in which carbon trading could operate at an individual level. Under such a system, those with a low carbon 'footprint' could receive payments by trading emissions entitlements with high carbon consumers.
The Environment Secretary's vision was introduced during a speech at the Audit Commission's annual lecture. It received widespread media coverage.
Mr Miliband said that, in future, individuals could each receive fixed carbon allowances, in much the same way as industry is currently assigned them under the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme.
He said that those who drive large, fuel inefficient cars, live in large or inefficient houses and take regular flights would effectively find themselves paying a green tax, while those who use public transport or have installed fuel-saving measures like wind turbines or solar panels would be rewarded.
Mr Miliband said: "Imagine a country where carbon becomes a new currency. We carry bank cards that store both pounds and carbon points. When we buy electricity, gas and fuel, we use our carbon points, as well as pounds. To help reduce carbon emissions, the Government would set limits on the amount of carbon that could be used...
"Our aim must be to create an environmental contract that provides an equitable deal between nations, a fair deal for UK business, and an empowering deal for citizens."
Related Links
David Miliband speech
Miliband 'blog' on Defra website + responses
BBC news link
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