Carbon ‘rationing’ proposal

10th June 2008

Fuel rationing might sound extreme – but that’s the planet-saving idea one Parliamentary group thinks we should adopt.

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) wants the Government to give everyone a limited supply of ‘Carbon Credits’, which they could spend whenever they do something that uses energy, such as driving a car.

It’s similar to the rationing used after World War II, except if you run out of credits you can buy more from motorists who don’t expect to use all of theirs. The concept is known as Personal Carbon Trading, and was outlined in a new report from the EAC, which considers how Government policy contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development. It says carbon trading is a more effective way of cutting emissions than green taxes.

The EAC hasn’t specified in the report what would be included in the scheme, but a spokeswoman confirmed: “There’s an assumption that transport would be one element to be considered. Carbon trading could be essential if the UK is to meet its emissions targets.”