The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom released ‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’, the Quality of Life Policy Group’s report, suggests that targets of at least 26 per cent cuts by 2020 and at least 80 per cent cuts by 2050, including in aviation and shipping, would be necessary for Britain to play its part in keeping global warming below critical climate tipping points.

The paper also proposes that a carbon committee with accountability to Parliament is needed to increase these targets still further in the light of new scientific evidence.

Of additional interest are the report’s findings on what it terms “perverse subsidies.” The report finds “the estimated public subsidy for fossil fuels is between $150-250 billion per year globally, with subsidies on oil products in non-OECD countries estimated at over $90 billion annually” (Report 391).

The Quality of Life Commission Report furthers states: “the European Environment Agency have produced an analysis of energy subsidies which concluded that for every €1 spent on renewables subsidies, €4 goes to fossil fuels. This ratio is consistent with a report which argues that every year the UK government gives some £6 to £8 in fossil fuel subsidies for every £1 to support clean and renewable energy, and that a typical British taxpayer pays at least £1,000 a year to fund ‘perverse’ subsidies” (Report 391).

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party and leader of the Opposition in the United Kingdom, positions he has occupied since December 2005, had the following to say on the report: “This is a vital issue - we have a responsibility in this generation to make sure we provide a greener and cleaner planet for our children. We cannot go on as we are in terms of the way we run government and live our lives. This report is all about creating incentives for people to help them make greener choices. We are prepared to make tough choices. We have said very clearly that taxes on pollution will go up.”To read the full report, go to: UK Conservative Party Quality of Life Commission Report.