Carbon ration account for all proposed by Environment Agency

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee asked the Government last year, to do research on some kind of rationing scheme. Because Britain has to cut its emissions by 80% by 2050. And after this audit result, they started searching for a rationing system.

The Environment Agency proposes to give an annual carbon ration. When people exceed it, they should pay a certain amount.

How does this rationing scheme work? Well, at first you’ll get some kind of “carbon account”, and a unique number. When you go to a shop, and buy items that include carbon (for example petrol, electricity, airline tickets,…) it will show you how much or their carbon ration would be remained.
And when you don’t have any credits left within a year, you’ll have to buy some extra, from those who have some left. And when you have some credits left, you can sell them, and make a profit. So this measure should cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Lord Smith, Culture Secretary in Tony Blair’s Government, says people will think about what they buy, and how much carbon costs. And he believes it’s better to use these rations, instead of the taxes. Because these taxes make life too expensive for people on low incomes, for example.

Let me explain it by giving an example. If we use taxes, it’s very expensive to fly. But if we use the rations, people who fly a lot, will quickly use all their rations. So they’ll have to buy extra carbon credits.

In a report, The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, says people should be convinced of three things. At first, they should know it’s essential to reduce the emissions. Secondly, this can only work, when people try to reduce their own emissions. So you have to take personal responsibility. And Thirdly, people should know it’s better to use theses rations, instead of taxes.

So I think it’s good to use these rations. It’s fairer than taxes. Because taxes make life very expensive. And people don’t think about the carbon amount in those products, when they buy it. But this would change, if they used it.

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