Responding to today’s report, EEF Northern, the manufacturers’ organisation believes that simply raising taxes is not the answer, but rather a range of measures including fiscal instruments, binding targets and voluntary agreements.
EEF Northern also believes that further green taxes on industry will only remove funds which are essential for investing in and, developing new, greener technologies which will be the solution to climate change. EEF recently produced a joint report with Deloitte on how business can deliver the low carbon economy.
However, EEF Northern agreed with the Committee’s view that the Treasury is failing to accelerate funding for vital technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage and that environmental issues appear to be ghettoised, with no clear departmental targets for reducing emissions. EEF Northern supported the EAC’s previous call for a Minister responsible for climate change who would provide a central focus to co-ordinate action.
Commenting, EEF Director, Alan Hall, said:
“If we are to make serious inroads into tackling climate change then it requires a far more sophisticated and joined up approach than simply raising taxes across the board. We need to use the full range of measures available to us rather than adopt a knee jerk approach which not only risks damaging our competitiveness but the relocation of business to other countries where no such controls exist.”
In particular, EEF Northern believes there should be far greater use of climate change agreements by business which have been proven to reduce emissions. There should also be more hypothecation of green revenues back to green projects, rather than the consolidated fund. Revenue raised from the landfill tax money should also be spent on reducing the amount of waste to landfill, rather than going into the general DEFRA spending pot.
Notes for editors
Delivering the Low Carbon Economy – Business Opportunities for manufacturers is available from eef.org.uk
EEF Northern has more than 500 member companies in the North of England and provides the most cost effective legal, employment law, employee relations and HS&E advice and training in the UK.
EEF Northern employs teams of HR and employment specialists and has access to more than 60 lawyers and barristers to help its members understand the issues associated with the ever increasing introduction of legislation and regulation.
Membership of EEF Northern gives immediate unlimited access to the team of specialists - including the largest specialist employment law team in the UK, which provides professional no-nonsense advice and guidance either by telephone or in person.
In addition, EEF represents the interests of its members at UK Government, European and international level, and can provide advice and support on issues and legislation that can affect almost every aspect of business.
Visit www.eef.org.uk/northern for further information.