A Green Economy

HC 1025, Twelfth Report of Session 2010-12 - Volume I: Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

Author:: House of Commons - Environmental Audit Committee
Publisher:: TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £20.00

According to the report 'A Green Economy' (HC 1025)' the Government's strategy to create a green economy ('Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy'), is too focused on voluntary action and fails to set a clear trajectory or any time-bound milestones for businesses to achieve.

There is concern that introducing mandatory emissions reporting for big business has been delayed and Ministers are urged not to go back on their promise to do so. The recent financial crisis has demonstrated the clear risks from such a market-led approach, particularly when markets do not reflect the value of the services provided by nature such as clean fresh water, pollination of crops, etc.

This report urges the Government to:

develop minimum sustainability standards;
set out how data on natural capital in the National Accounts will be used;
develop targets for improving the state of the environment and establish transparent reporting against such targets; and
use the Natural Capital Committee's work on a 'natural asset stock check' as one of the basket of indicators used to measure the green economy.

Regulations have an important role in safeguarding our health and the environment, but the Government has pledged to reduce over 10,000 pages of regulatory guidance, following its 'Red Tape Challenge', to help businesses comply with environmental laws.

The Government should fully incorporate the principles of 'Enabling the Transition' into future revisions of the 'Plan for Growth'.

Expenditure involved in making the transition to a green economy should be seen as an investment, not simply a cost.

Extent	188 pages	ISBN	9780215045096
Size	A4	Price	£20.00
Format	Paperback	Published	21 May 2012
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges