WWF-UK has released a report that claims that the UK could slash National Debt by £12 billion over the next four years if the country commits to low carbon adjustments.

Cutting Back on Carbon Spending was published in conjunction with Greenpeace and the RSPB and identifies cuts in road expansions and the abolishment of tax allowances for high carbon companies as two key ways to cut down on emissions and lower National Debt.

The report aims to prove that low carbon doesn’t necessarily mean big spending and calls on the next elected political party to investigate public expenditure and tax policy in relation to commitments to a low carbon economy.

Examples cited in the report include:

• reducing public sector energy and fuel consumption could save the nation £1.5 billion;
• a two-year moratorium on road expansion could save £2.4 billion;
• £2.8 billion to be saved by changes to the road budget;
• an end to zero-rated VAT for aircrafts and ships (£2.2 billion).

Such green measures could reduce spending by £7 billion over four years and increase tax revenues by £5 billions, creating a total savings of £12 billion.

David Norman, head of campaigns for WWF-UK, said that report: “demonstrates that with a clear vision and sense of purpose the UK can move toward a low carbon economy without profligate spending. Not to do so would cost us too much in the long run.”

Dr Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace, said: “We’ve got to stop handing out millions in tax breaks to the airline industry and approving roads instead of cleaner alternatives.”

“Britain can be a world leader in renewable technologies and low carbon transport, but only if we stop bailing out the dirty industries of the 20th century.”

By Taylor Turner

WWF CAMPAIGNS TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE – BECOME A MEMBER TODAY