Cheaper car tax for more efficient vehicles (From Campaign Series)

Cheaper car tax for more efficient vehicles

2:43pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

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Hello Readers! During mid-March, the Chancellor Alistair Darling released the widely reported ‘green budget’. This month, my column will follow how it affects the environment of Wales and the United Kingdom.


You would have noticed when you’ve shopped in supermarkets over the past few weeks how differing rules now apply to plastic carrier bags. This was implemented because if not enough voluntary action was taken by retailers then a tax would be imposed on their use.


Around 13 billion plastic carrier bags are handed out at the tills of 21 retail groups, including the main supermarkets, in Britain each year. Calculations show that 5kg of carbon emissions will be saved for each person who stops using plastic bags for a year. While you are in the supermarket, buying products with the least amounts of packaging will lower your shopping’s carbon footprint even further.


Another policy seen that affects all families is the increase of fuel duty in October 2008.


The idea is that more people will car share or use more efficient vehicles to save on this tax. Drivers of these more efficient vehicles will be rewarded by having cheaper car tax.


This will lead to lower carbon emissions by Wales and the UK, slowing the effects of climate change. People who car share can save up to £1000 per year.


The government is to hold discussions on what is needed to put more renewable energy sources in place.


The UK is currently working towards a long-term goal of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050 and this may rise to 80% due to the UK’s signing of an international agreement.


We do not have to conform to what the government says, we can all do more in everyday lives to tackle carbon emissions at grass roots level. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world but we each have the chance to make a difference.



Top Tip: When you buy your tea bags (carried home in a reusable carrier bag!), only boil the water you need. If everyone did this we’d save enough energy to supply 18,000 homes each year.

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