New Lib-Con Environmental Policies

The theme color of the new Lib-Con government could be green. The coalition of conservatives and liberal democrats has vowed that a center piece of all legislation will be the environment. The historical coming together of the parties has been founded around common ground that was put forth in a 30 page document written out by each party’s leader (David Cameron for the Conservatives and Nick Clegg for the Liberal Democrats). 

The coalition may not be as strong as it passes from the heads to the rest of the members. Members of the European Parliament have pointed out that they do not feel bound by the agreements being put forth by Cameron and Clegg. 

Some of the points that would directly affect the environment include:

• Low carbon and eco-friendly economy
• Smart grid and smart meters
• Feed-in tariff system in electricity
• Creation of a green investment bank
• Provisions for home energy improvements (to be paid for with savings from lower energy bills)
• Emissions performance standards
• Establishment of a high-speed rail network
• Change from per passenger duty to per flight duty
• Cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow
• No additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted
• Provision of a floor price for carbon
• Promotion of green spaces
• Promotion of wildlife corridors
• Move to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity
• Mandating a national recharging network for hybrid vehicles
• Reduction of central government carbon emissions by 10% within 12 months
• Increased target for renewable energy sources

Many of the measures could help consumers lower their gas and electric bills. The smart meters would provide more information to consumers on consumption. Providers will also be able to more closely regulate energy consumption and give providers the ability to encourage consumers to use some household appliances only during off-peak hours.

PAYS (Pay as You Save) would allow the average householder to refurbish homes with appliances and other measures that would serve to cut carbon emissions. The PAYS are associated with the house and not the individual so that in the event of a sale, the expense is passed on to the new home buyer.

Benefits from green spaces go beyond just the ecology. Individuals that come in contact with nature through these green spaces and wildlife corridors find that they have a reduction in physical stress (including reduced heart rate and blood pressure) and also a reduction in muscle tension. An increase in concentration and attention span can also come from regular contact with nature. The far-reaching benefits of green spaces make them valuable to the wildlife, the ecology and the people around them.

Not all of the issues that face the green movement seem resolved by the coalition. Although there was some discussion about nuclear energy as an alternative energy source, many feel that the agreement did not go far enough to help establish new nuclear plants and rework existing plants.

The change from air passenger duty to per flight duty could force airlines to work harder to fill flights. It could also hurt freight travel. It will depend largely on how the tax is set, although the amount of £3.5 billion as the estimated amount to be raised has many in the industry very concerned.

The ideas behind the coalition may be good, but they may never come to fruition. The dissent among the MEPs may mean that all of the talking and negotiating between Clegg and Cameron is just that and no more.

In the end, there are some that feel the green movements do not go far enough to protect the environment. There are others that feel the agreements go too far. There may still be a long way to go to find the balance that is necessary for real change to occur.

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