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Answering member
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Ian Pearson
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Pearson, Ian (93)
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To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of its capacity to adapt to climate change; and what plans he has to publish a climate change adaptation strategy.
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of its capacity to adapt to climate change; and what plans he has to publish a climate change adaptation strategy.
Asked by
Peter Ainsworth
(Conservative)
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 December 2008
For answer on
8 December 2008
Answered on
12 January 2009
In July 2008, the cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme published Adapting to climate change in England—a framework for action which set out the Government's strategy for adaptation and the work-plan for the cross-Government Programme for the next three years. This programme increases Government's capacity to adapt by ensuring a coordinated approach across all Departments and the public sector, and overall responsibility for it rests with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Information about the Programme and its work can be found at"www.defra.gov.uk/adaptation."This includes taking forward work flowing from the Climate Change Act—including a national Climate Change Risk Assessment and cost benefit analysis which will inform future priorities for the statutory adaptation programme that will then begin in 2012.The Government's longer term strategy on adapting to a changing climate will be set out in this statutory National Adaptation Programme, which will be reviewed and updated on a five year rolling basis in response to updated risk assessments, and report to Parliament.In addition, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is encouraging industry sectors to consider and review their resilience arrangements and is working towards embedding adaptation into its own operations.
Subjects
Climate change; Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Date
12 January 2009
Reference
486 c447-8W;486 c448W; 241182
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Natural Environment Research Council's programme quantifying and understanding the earth system in informing the Government's climate change policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Natural Environment Research Council's programme quantifying and understanding the earth system in informing the Government's climate change policy.
Asked by
Dai Davies
(Independent (affiliation))
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 November 2007
For answer on
22 November 2007
Answered on
6 December 2007
A number of NERC-funded research programmes and collaborations provide scientific evidence that informs the Government's climate change policy. The Quantifying and Understanding the Earth System (QUEST) programme is just one of these; others include the RAPID Climate Change programme, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science.NERC council has undertaken an independent mid-term evaluation of the QUEST programme, which will be published shortly. This evaluation concluded that the programme has made good links with stakeholders including central government, and that it is satisfactorily mobilising its preliminary science outputs to inform policy, and increasing the UK's capability to generate policy-relevant science.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) takes the lead within Government for climate change policy and commissions research on climate change in support of policy. It has not made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) programme quantifying and understanding the earth system in informing the Government's climate change policy, although it does draw on its work programmes.
Subjects
Climate change; Research
Date
6 December 2007
Reference
167820; 468 c1448-9W;468 c1447-8W
House
House of Commons
The EU emissions trading scheme is a key part of our emissions reductions strategy. The scheme’s next phase will provide business with greater certainty, and we expect the scheme to deliver additional savings of 29.3 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
The EU emissions trading scheme is a key part of our emissions reductions strategy. The scheme’s next phase will provide business with greater certainty, and we expect the scheme to deliver additional savings of 29.3 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Adrian Bailey
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
What assessment he has made of the likely effect of the UK’s membership of the EU emissions trading scheme on future emissions of greenhouse gases.
Subjects
Climate change; EU emissions trading scheme; Carbon emissions
Date
21 June 2007
Reference
461 c1507
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Commission has already taken a robust approach to the phase 2 national allocation plans—NAPs—of member states, and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so. It is vital that we ensure scarcity in the market, and that is what will happen in phase 2. My hon. Friend is also right to point out the importance of the potential for linking the EU emissions trading scheme to other trading schemes that are being discussed in other countries. Certainly, the review of the directive that is taking place—in which we are fully participating—will allow that possibility. I want to see the growth of a global carbon market in the future, because that will be good for the world in limiting CO2 emissions. Carbon trading offers significant potential for low-cost carbon abatement.
The Commission has already taken a robust approach to the phase 2 national allocation plans—NAPs—of member states, and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so. It is vital that we ensure scarcity in the market, and that is what will happen in phase 2. My hon. Friend is also right to point out the importance of the potential for linking the EU emissions trading scheme to other trading schemes that are being discussed in other countries. Certainly, the review of the directive that is taking place—in which we are fully participating—will allow that possibility. I want to see the growth of a global carbon market in the future, because that will be good for the world in limiting CO2 emissions. Carbon trading offers significant potential for low-cost carbon abatement.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Adrian Bailey
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Will my hon. Friend ensure that the European Commission does not relax the tough national allocation plans in phase 2 and does its utmost to develop other schemes in other parts of the world, so that the EU is not alone in that particular approach to carbon reduction?
Subjects
Climate change; EU emissions trading scheme; Carbon emissions
Date
21 June 2007
Reference
461 c1507-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As a Government, we do not seek to set a particular carbon price—in a market mechanism, it is the market’s role to establish that. The Government’s role is to ensure sufficient scarcity and that the market functions properly. The benefit of a cap and trade scheme is that setting a cap gives a certainty that carbon dioxide emissions are being controlled. The EU emissions trading scheme is a significant policy instrument because it covers about half of all Europe’s CO2 emissions. We want to make sure that it works even more effectively in the future.
As a Government, we do not seek to set a particular carbon price—in a market mechanism, it is the market’s role to establish that. The Government’s role is to ensure sufficient scarcity and that the market functions properly. The benefit of a cap and trade scheme is that setting a cap gives a certainty that carbon dioxide emissions are being controlled. The EU emissions trading scheme is a significant policy instrument because it covers about half of all Europe’s CO2 emissions. We want to make sure that it works even more effectively in the future.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Vincent Cable
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
A major purpose of the emissions trading scheme is to create a carbon price to guide long-term investment decisions. Will the Minister say whether the Government endorse the conclusion of the Stern report that the appropriate price would be on the order of £75 per tonne of carbon?
Subjects
Climate change; EU emissions trading scheme; Carbon emissions
Date
21 June 2007
Reference
461 c1508
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Certainly, the UK is starting from a low base when it comes to renewables, and no one is under any illusion—the 20 per cent. target agreed across Europe is extremely challenging for the UK and for all EU member states. We will have to look at the division of responsibilities that will determine the target to be set for the UK, but I emphasise that the measures on renewables in the energy White Paper envisage a significant growth in that sector over the next 10 years.
Certainly, the UK is starting from a low base when it comes to renewables, and no one is under any illusion—the 20 per cent. target agreed across Europe is extremely challenging for the UK and for all EU member states. We will have to look at the division of responsibilities that will determine the target to be set for the UK, but I emphasise that the measures on renewables in the energy White Paper envisage a significant growth in that sector over the next 10 years.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Peter Ainsworth
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
The EU emissions trading scheme should play a part in helping Europe meet its commitment to derive 20 per cent. of total energy from renewable sources by 2020. However, the UK derives only 2 per cent. of its energy from renewable sources, and that is less than half the EU average. Does the Minister seriously think that existing policies give us any chance of getting anywhere near 20 per cent. in 13 years’ time?
Subjects
Climate change; EU emissions trading scheme; Carbon emissions
Date
21 June 2007
Reference
461 c1508
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What assessment he has made of the likely effect of the UK’s membership of the EU emissions trading scheme on future emissions of greenhouse gases.
What assessment he has made of the likely effect of the UK’s membership of the EU emissions trading scheme on future emissions of greenhouse gases.
Asked by
Adrian Bailey
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 June 2007
For answer on
21 June 2007
Answered on
21 June 2007
The EU emissions trading scheme is a key part of our emissions reductions strategy. The scheme’s next phase will provide business with greater certainty, and we expect the scheme to deliver additional savings of 29.3 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
Subjects
Climate change; EU emissions trading scheme; Carbon emissions
Date
21 June 2007
Reference
461 c1507; 144189
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Welsh Assembly Government on extending the climate change champions young ambassadors scheme to Wales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Welsh Assembly Government on extending the climate change champions young ambassadors scheme to Wales.
Asked by
Dai Davies
(Independent (affiliation))
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 June 2007
For answer on
11 June 2007
Answered on
15 June 2007
We have announced our intention to hold a second climate change champions competition. Initial discussions on whether the Welsh Assembly Government might like to run an extension of the competition have taken place at official level and these discussions will be taken further as we develop our plans.
Notes
Columns in printed daily part are numbered two columns ahead of columns on Hansard Online. Column numbers on PIMS refer to Hansard Online
Subjects
Climate change; Young people; Wales
Date
15 June 2007
Reference
141620; 461 c1361W
House
House of Commons
Adjournment debate on carbon dioxide reduction target.
Adjournment debate on carbon dioxide reduction target.
Lead member
Colin Challen
Answering member
Ian Pearson
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Air pollution; Climate change; Carbon dioxide; Pollution control; Standards; Carbon emissions; Government Carbon Offsetting Fund
Date
12 June 2007
Reference
461 c721-40
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what joint projects his Department is involved with its Chinese counterpart in the area of climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what joint projects his Department is involved with its Chinese counterpart in the area of climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Asked by
Denis MacShane
(Labour)
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 May 2007
For answer on
18 May 2007
Answered on
24 May 2007
A key international objective for the UK is to ensure that Chinese engagement helps enhance efforts towards making the transition to a sustainable low carbon economy globally as well as shaping an effective international regime to tackle climate change.In order to do this we are engaged with China through a number of channels including:"(i) The sustainable development dialogue(SDD). Examples of joint working, include a workshop on sustainable consumption and production, establishment of a joint working group on sustainable forestry, discussions with the Chinese Ministry of Construction on sustainable urban development and a project at provincial level to share the UK’s experience on waste management and resource efficiency.""(ii) The UK-China working group on climate change. This is helping by feeding into discussions and activities under the Gleneagles Dialogue, the EU-China Partnership on climate change and the United Nations framework convention on climate change.""(iii) The near-zero emissions coal (nZEC) project which aims to demonstrate coal fired power generation with carbon dioxide capture and storage technology in China by 2020.""(iv) The UK is working with China on a bilateral project on climate change impacts. It has already gone some way towards revealing the effect of climate change on Chinese agriculture;""(v) The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), a multi-country initiative that covers China, India, the whole G7, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. REEEP delivers projects on the ground that demonstrate the potential for reform of energy policy and financing frameworks in a sustainable way."
Subjects
Climate change; International cooperation
Date
24 May 2007
Reference
138506; 460 c1407W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution United Kingdom officials or scientists made to the ad hoc working group on Mitigation potentials of policies, measures and technologies of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change, held in...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution United Kingdom officials or scientists made to the ad hoc working group on Mitigation potentials of policies, measures and technologies of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change, held in...
Asked by
Dai Davies
(Independent (affiliation))
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 May 2007
For answer on
21 May 2007
Answered on
24 May 2007
[holding answer 21 May 2007]: UK officials played an active part in the European Union’s (EU) preparations for the Bonn United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) Ad-hoc Working Group meeting. During the meeting, the EU presented information on the mitigation potential of the EU as a whole and not as individual member states. In the preparations, the UK did not promote any specific electricity generation technology. The EU’s submissions and presentations can be found on the UNFCCC website at:"www.unfccc.int."
Subjects
Climate change; Electricity generation; International cooperation
Date
24 May 2007
Reference
138434; 460 c1406W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he is making in involving (a) G8 countries, (b) EU countries and (c) other major developing countries in talks on tackling the effects of climate change.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he is making in involving (a) G8 countries, (b) EU countries and (c) other major developing countries in talks on tackling the effects of climate change.
Asked by
Anne Moffat
(Labour)
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 May 2007
For answer on
18 May 2007
Answered on
24 May 2007
[holding answer 18 May 2007]: We are making progress, but there is still a long way to go. The spring European Council showed significant developments at the European level and real leadership by the EU. The EU committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of an international agreement and agreed an independent commitment to cut emissions by at least 20 per cent.In the G8, we are continuing to work with the German presidency to achieve our climate change objectives, which we began to set out at Gleneagles in 2005. We are aiming for the Heiligendamm summit in June to send a clear signal to the UN climate change conference in Bali in December on the need to launch negotiations on a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement, to be completed by 2009.In parallel, we are working, both bilaterally and through the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change (UNFCCC), to engage countries in order to raise the level of global ambition to respond to the threat of global warming, as set out in the recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on climate change. For example, we are working with South Africa to explore what a post-2012 agreement could look like.
Subjects
Climate change; International cooperation
Date
24 May 2007
Reference
137649; 460 c1406-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to communicate to the public (a) the causes of climate change, (b) the impact on the United Kingdom and the wider world of climate change and (c) the possible solutions to climate...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to communicate to the public (a) the causes of climate change, (b) the impact on the United Kingdom and the wider world of climate change and (c) the possible solutions to climate...
Asked by
Nicholas Brown
(Labour)
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 April 2007
For answer on
2 May 2007
Answered on
18 May 2007
The current ““Act on CO2”” campaign supports a range of multi media, tools and activities aimed at educating, informing and enabling individuals to think about changing their behaviours and to adopt lower carbon lifestyles to help tackle climate change. Through the Climate Challenge Fund, over 80 local and community-level projects are communicating the causes and impacts of climate change.Last year’s influential Stern Review on climate change continues to raise awareness, both domestically and globally, of the impacts and costs associated with climate change. DEFRA has supported, and was well represented at, the IPCC meetings ensuring that the messages contained in the summary reports are robust and based on sound science.DEFRA funds the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) to advise organisations on how they might be affected by climate change, so that they can adapt to its impacts. Among other activities, UKCIP works with the Met Office Hadley Centre to provide climate change scenarios for the UK (the next of which are due to publication in 2008); provides tools for stakeholders to assess climate risk and plan adaptation strategies; and coordinates research about how climate change will affect the UK at national and regional levels.
Subjects
Climate change; Publicity
Date
18 May 2007
Reference
135658; 460 c966W
House
House of Commons
I agree that aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions, but it is not just a question of carbon dioxide emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that the non-carbon dioxide impact of aviation is two to four times as great as the carbon dioxide impact. That is why the Government have been leading the way in bringing aviation into the EU emissions trading scheme, and why we strongly back the proposals that have emerged from the European Commission, which by 2020 could save 183 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
I agree that aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions, but it is not just a question of carbon dioxide emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that the non-carbon dioxide impact of aviation is two to four times as great as the carbon dioxide impact. That is why the Government have been leading the way in bringing aviation into the EU emissions trading scheme, and why we strongly back the proposals that have emerged from the European Commission, which by 2020 could save 183 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
David Evennett
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Let me say first that I am very sad that the Secretary of State decided not to stand for the leadership of his party. [Interruption.] I think there are other members of the Labour party who think the same, but let me turn to more substantive issues. Does the Minister agree that emissions from aviation are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, rising potentially from 5 per cent. today to a possible 25 per cent. by 2030? What changes does he think should be introduced to make aviation play its part in helping to tackle rising carbon dioxide emissions?
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c726-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend is right about the importance of aviation to the UK economy and he gives a good example of the growth and success of Manchester airport. As a Government, we must have a sustainable policy on aviation. We should not be against aviation any more than we are against the cement industry, aggregates, construction, telecommunications or chemicals. Clearly it is important that aviation, like other sectors of the economy, takes responsibility for reducing its carbon emissions, which is why putting aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme is the best way forward. We have been responding to the European Commission’s proposals on aviation and we hope to see significant progress later this year, in accordance with the timetable laid out by the Commission.
My hon. Friend is right about the importance of aviation to the UK economy and he gives a good example of the growth and success of Manchester airport. As a Government, we must have a sustainable policy on aviation. We should not be against aviation any more than we are against the cement industry, aggregates, construction, telecommunications or chemicals. Clearly it is important that aviation, like other sectors of the economy, takes responsibility for reducing its carbon emissions, which is why putting aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme is the best way forward. We have been responding to the European Commission’s proposals on aviation and we hope to see significant progress later this year, in accordance with the timetable laid out by the Commission.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Andrew Gwynne
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
The growth in air travel has had a very good impact on the economy of such places as Greater Manchester, which has a rapidly expanding international airport, but has also had a massive impact on carbon emissions. The Minister briefly mentioned the UK’s efforts to have air transport included in the EU emissions trading scheme. Could he update the House as to where the Government are on this?
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c727
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Domestic aviation is included in the UK’s greenhouse gas inventory. International aviation and shipping are not because there is no international agreement on definitions. There is scope to amend the Climate Change Bill to allow the introduction of aviation and shipping, but we need international agreement on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from aviation and shipping. In the meantime, putting aviation into the EU ETS—the UK would support the inclusion of shipping—has to be the next best step. If we can achieve agreement through the International Civil Aviation Organisation to get global action on aviation, that would be much the best for everyone.
Domestic aviation is included in the UK’s greenhouse gas inventory. International aviation and shipping are not because there is no international agreement on definitions. There is scope to amend the Climate Change Bill to allow the introduction of aviation and shipping, but we need international agreement on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from aviation and shipping. In the meantime, putting aviation into the EU ETS—the UK would support the inclusion of shipping—has to be the next best step. If we can achieve agreement through the International Civil Aviation Organisation to get global action on aviation, that would be much the best for everyone.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lynne Jones
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Irrespective of whether the Government choose—I hope they will—to use other policy instruments in advance of the EU emissions trading scheme, which is still some years off, and given that the UK already submits information on emissions from international bunker fuels under the Kyoto provisions, should not emissions from both aviation and shipping be included in the Climate Change Bill from the beginning?
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c727-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I accept that air passenger duty may not be the most effective policy instrument when it comes to influencing environmental behaviour, but it is one of the best we have. It is certainly far better than the Tory proposal to impose VAT on domestic flights. The simple fact is that the rise in APD announced in the last pre-Budget report will produce more carbon savings in a month than the Conservative proposals will in a year.
I accept that air passenger duty may not be the most effective policy instrument when it comes to influencing environmental behaviour, but it is one of the best we have. It is certainly far better than the Tory proposal to impose VAT on domestic flights. The simple fact is that the rise in APD announced in the last pre-Budget report will produce more carbon savings in a month than the Conservative proposals will in a year.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Adam Holloway
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
I think that it will be the Labour movement that, in time, will be sad that the Secretary of State did not stand for the leadership of the Labour party.
In February this year the Government increased air passenger duty, but it has been described by one of the Government’s own members as"““a blunt instrument… not… designed for environmental ends.””"
Can the Minister tell us when the Government will tackle the issue properly?
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c727
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
It is incredible that Opposition Members oppose the climate change levy, which will have more of an impact in a week in terms of reducing carbon emissions than the current Conservative proposal to put VAT on domestic aviation would do in a year, while opposing the increase in air passenger duty, which will save 2.75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2010-11—more in one month than putting VAT on domestic flights, as the original question suggests, will do in a year. This is a nonsense of a Conservative policy—
It is incredible that Opposition Members oppose the climate change levy, which will have more of an impact in a week in terms of reducing carbon emissions than the current Conservative proposal to put VAT on domestic aviation would do in a year, while opposing the increase in air passenger duty, which will save 2.75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2010-11—more in one month than putting VAT on domestic flights, as the original question suggests, will do in a year. This is a nonsense of a Conservative policy—
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Adam Afriyie
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
There is broad agreement that green taxes do help to change behaviour and I very much welcome the Government’s announcement of their intention that we enter the emissions trading scheme. However, there is also deep suspicion that green taxes are being used to raise the overall level of taxation, rather than simply to combat climate change or to change behaviour. Will the Minister confirm that if Britain does enter the emissions trading scheme, air passenger duty and many other green taxes affecting aviation will be reduced to offset those new taxes?
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c728
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
We shall have plenty of opportunities to discuss climate change in the future, particularly in relation to the Climate Change Bill. I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box and congratulate him on his debut performance; it is just a shame that his task is to defend the Opposition’s shabby policy on aviation—
We shall have plenty of opportunities to discuss climate change in the future, particularly in relation to the Climate Change Bill. I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box and congratulate him on his debut performance; it is just a shame that his task is to defend the Opposition’s shabby policy on aviation—
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
Tobias Ellwood
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I add my condolences to the Secretary of State on his decision not to stand in the Labour leadership race—although there is another hour to go before the period for nominations ends? His campaign to be Prime Minister might be dead, but his ideas on climate change live on in the form of his mini-manifesto, a detailed letter written to the Chancellor in which he calls for increasing passenger awareness of the impact of flights, raising air passenger duty and making flights subject to VAT, which the Minister has just condemned. If we all agree that aviation must play its role in combating climate change and if the Secretary of State believes that that is the way forward, when will we get the opportunity to debate those ideas in this House?
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c728-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The best way available in which to tackle the climate-change impact of aviation is to bring it within the EU emissions trading scheme. However, we continue to explore and discuss the use of other economic instruments, within Government, with stakeholders and with other countries.
I agree that aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions, but it is not just a question of carbon dioxide emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that the non-carbon dioxide impact of aviation is two to four times as great as the carbon dioxide impact. That is why the Government have been leading the way in bringing aviation into the EU emissions trading scheme, and why we strongly back the proposals that have emerged from the European Commission, which by 2020 could save 183 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The best way available in which to tackle the climate-change impact of aviation is to bring it within the EU emissions trading scheme. However, we continue to explore and discuss the use of other economic instruments, within Government, with stakeholders and with other countries.
I agree that aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions, but it is not just a question of carbon dioxide emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that the non-carbon dioxide impact of aviation is two to four times as great as the carbon dioxide impact. That is why the Government have been leading the way in bringing aviation into the EU emissions trading scheme, and why we strongly back the proposals that have emerged from the European Commission, which by 2020 could save 183 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Answered by
Ian Pearson
(Labour)
Asked by
David Evennett
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of VAT on air travel as part of the Government's climate change strategy.
Subjects
Aviation; Climate change; Taxation; VAT
Date
17 May 2007
Reference
460 c726
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons