鈥�,鈥� said Ed Davey, the UK secretary for energy and climate, yesterday. And the evidence is on his side. Economists say that, despite the expense, drastic cuts in the UK鈥檚 carbon dioxide emissions will boost the country鈥檚 economy.
The finding should encourage action to reduce CO2 levels, which , according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization. The growth from 2012 was the biggest jump since 1984, and may be partly down to plants and other organisms taking in less CO2.
If climate change isn鈥檛 incentive enough to cut emissions, try this: if the UK cut its carbon emissions by 60 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030, as it has promised, its GDP would be 1.1 per cent bigger than if it stuck with fossil fuels, says a by consultants at .
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About half the gain would come from cheap running costs for fuel-efficient cars, with 190,000 new green jobs and higher wages also helping. The average household would be 拢565 a year better off.
A price worth paying
To achieve this, the report estimates that annual national investment in low-carbon technologies 鈥� mostly energy efficiency and renewable energy sources like wind and solar 鈥� could have to reach 拢20 billion by 2030. That would be paid for by higher electricity and fuel prices. But the payback in jobs, wages and lower energy needs would more than compensate.
The 60 per cent emissions cut target was set by the government鈥檚 and is a legal commitment under the 2008 . However, ministers have come under pressure to drop it to save money.
The findings chime with a study by the in London. The IPPR says through better energy efficiency. The EU pays Russia 鈧�31 billion a year for gas, much of it coming along pipelines through Ukraine.
