Institute For Public Policy Research slams ‘climate-void’ budget days ahead of COP26

The Institute For Public Policy Research think tank has slammed the decision to cut domestic air passenger duty just days ahead of COP26

The head of IPPR’s landmark Environmental Justice Commission has responded to this afternoon’s budget, warning that the Chancellor missed the opportunity to set our world leading climate investments ahead of the COP26 global climate summit next week.

Luke Murphy, head of the IPPR Environmental Justice Commission, said: “Today the Chancellor declared the UK was entering an ‘age of optimism’ but instead he used the budget to extend the ages of fossil fuels.

“Cutting air passenger duty was the most significant new policy mentioned in the budget speech today which will have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions – and it will increase them. Rishi Sunak talked for longer about beer duty, than our duty to future generations to address the climate and nature crises.

“The truth is, this climate-void, fossil-fuel heavy budget failed to deliver the necessary £30 billion of investment needed each year to meet our climate and nature targets.

“Investing in a green economy would have been the fiscally responsible thing to do, avoiding the huge costs of inaction, and maximising the benefits and opportunities of the transition. Our research shows that 1.7 million jobs could be created by 2035 in sectors from transport to home retrofit and low carbon electricity.”

“This budget was an own goal for a government that should be leading the world, ahead of the all-important global climate summit COP26, into a new low carbon age.”