Ann Pettifor

Last chance for a green budget

From The Guardian, Wednesday 22 April 2009

Today we face three of the greatest challenges of our time, global recession, energy security and the threat of catastrophic climate change. The only solution to this triple crunch is a low-carbon recovery. Millions of jobs could be created around the world, global warming emissions slashed and energy security increased. There is no choice between economic recovery and climate recovery – they are one and the same. But time is running out and we need bold measures at the heart of this year’s budget to build a low-carbon economy, ramp up energy efficiency and provide the renewables industry with urgently needed support to overcome immediate difficulties. To help provide the critical investment required, the government should set up and fund a Green Infrastructure Bank, backed by Green Bonds. This could leverage over £100bn in private finance to help create a dynamic low-carbon energy system.

This financial support must be used to drive programmes that ensure by 2020 every UK home is a low-carbon home, the UK meets its renewable targets and is a world leader in renewable energy manufacturing and deployment. It is time to rebuild and repower the UK.
Ed Matthew
Friends of the Earth
Philip Wolfe
Renewable Energy Association
Maria McCaffery
British Wind Energy Association
Graham Meeks
Combined Heat & Power Association
Howard Johns
Solar Trade Association
Paul King
UK Green Building Council
Andrew Simms
New Economics Foundation
John Sauven
Greenpeace
Shaun Spiers
Campaign to Protect Rural England
Jenny Saunders
National Energy Action
Ann Pettifor
Advocacy International
Neil Schofield
Worcester – Bosch Group
John Meadows
Schott UK Ltd
And 46 others

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