ABSTRACT
Changing our behaviour today to safeguard the future needs everyone's participation encouraged and persuaded by the use of carrot and stick. The government committed the UK to achieve a 12.5 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 in Kyoto, with an aspirational target of 20 per cent for CO2. Industry should support the governments objective by committing to play its part for the environment and also because it makes business sense. The UK chemical industry has some valuable experience to share and also views on what will, and will not, be successful in changing people's behaviour. When the Chancellor announced the climate change levy in the Budget in March 1999 they immediately voiced our concern and disappointment. The government has offered rebates to energy-intensive sectors that enter into energy efficiency agreements and are, of course, negotiating an agreement to mitigate the impact of the levy on members, but believe there is a better way forward.
