1. The Polluter Pays
We believe that if you damage the environment, it is your responsibility to pay for that damage to be reversed. The air around us, our waterways, and our landscapes are all common property. If they are damaged though an accident or through activity that pollutes, then that damage should be fixed. The government has a duty to ensure that those who cause such damage pay to do so. In the event that damage is global, as with climate change, it is doubly important to ensure that damaging activities are kept to a minimum and that funds are raised to deal with the consequences. It is also vitally important that we invest in research and technology to reduce the amount of damage that we do to our environment in the first place.
2. Tax Incentives For Companies That Lower Global Carbon
We would continue to provide tax incentives for lowering businesses’ carbon footprint. Capital allowances would continue to be available when buying energy-efficient items.
3. Stop Public Subsides To Fossil Fuel Production
We advocate for ending public subsidies to fossil fuel production, aligning with efforts to address environmental challenges. This entails ceasing the issuance of new licenses for oil, gas, and other fossil fuel exploration and production, alongside discontinuing Field Allowances. Additionally, tax rates on profits from oil and gas, including the Ring Fence Corporation Tax, Supplementary Charge, and Petroleum Revenue Tax, will be increased significantly. By doing so, we aim to encourage a shift toward sustainable energy sources, ensuring both environmental stewardship and fiscal accountability.
4. Require Green Or Solar Roofing For All Newly-Built Commercial Buildings
So much potential is wasted in commercial building use. We would require green or solar roofing for all newly-built commercial buildings. The soil and plants on green roofs lower urban temperatures and reduce flooding. This would apply to all new commercial buildings (e.g. supermarkets & factories). At least 50% of the roof would be required to be green roof or solar panels.
5. Mandatory “Carbon Footprint” Labelling For Big-Ticket Items
We should require that carbon footprint ratings are extended and applied on more products, especially those that have large carbon footprints when created. These items should then be labelled when sold.
6. Label Electrical And Electronic Goods With Mean Time To Failure
Electrical and electronic goods are currently labelled with estimated energy efficiency. Often the reliability and expected lifetime is also an important factor for a customer We would require these goods to be labelled with their mean time to failure.
7. Investing In Offshore Wind And Tidal Power
Power generation will be a major issue facing the UK in the coming decade. The next government will have to put to get an effective and environmentally sound policy to deal with increasing generation capacity. We believe that the focus should be on renewable energy (such as offshore wind and tidal power generation) as well as investigating and developing new technologies, including nuclear, and continuing to improve the effectiveness of existing ones.
- The Renewables Obligation would be continued (a subsidy to large electricity generators)
- The Feed-in Tariff would be continued (a subsidy for smaller generators)
8. Increase Research Funding For Renewable Energy Production
We would Increase academic funding for renewable energy production via the Research Councils UK Energy Programme. We would provide additional renewable energy business grants via Innovate UK. In particular, the focus would be on energy efficiency and energy storage.
9. Bottle Return Scheme
A bottle return scheme is a charge added to the price on a bottled drink that you get back if you return said bottle to a certified outlet (essentially a deposit). We will trial the implementation of bottle return scheme schemes in the UK with a view to making them mandatory across the UK if they are found to be as effective in the UK as they have been in Germany and other countries. Bottle return schemes change the social landscape in other ways, too: bottles aren’t left in the street, and if they are someone comes and picks them up, if only for the deposit. This ensures that there is less waste, more reuse and fewer glass hazards in public areas.
10. Aim To Exceed C02 Emission Targets
The 2008 Climate Change Act details UK greenhouse gas emission targets. This requires 80% reduction in emissions between 1990 and 2050. We would aim to not just meet but exceed that objective.
11. Adopt The Passive House Standard For All New Buildings
The Passive House standard requires a house to be be so well constructed and insulated that it is warm enough without requiring much heating; typically it will require no heating at all.
30,000 passive houses have been built around the world and the UK should work to catch up. We will aim to ensure that all new houses built in the UK adhere to a reasonable standard that is as close to the Passive House standard in terms of aims as possible.
12. Adopt The Space For Cycling Framework
We would adopt the “Making Space for Cycling” framework.
- Safeguards would ensure that it is spent on infrastructure that primarily benefits cyclists
The key to enabling high cycling levels is excellent quality infrastructure, appropriate to the location, as well as bicycle parking. People don’t like mixing with heavy traffic. Space for cycling is needed, away from motor vehicles, with care taken in relation to pedestrians. For instance, mixing cycles with pedestrians on narrow footways is never acceptable. In new developments providing for cycling will free up space that can be used for more productive things, such as houses, shops, or public space. The ease of cycling, and the casual interaction that this brings, makes it easy for people to visit shops and chat with friends, fostering the sense of community which is an essential element in a successful new development.
New developments and street renewals should design for a third of all journeys to be made by bike. This is achievable if the right design approach is applied.