What Budget 2024 means for sustainability

With the red box barely closed, many outlets are rushing to provide analysis on the implications of the budget.

From the perspective of sustainability it will take some time to analyse the implications of all the announcements, but here are some of the headlines that struck the GreenWatch team.

Transport

The increase in air passenger duty on air traffic is a small but welcome step in the right direction, although at the levels proposed it is unlikely to affect travel choices. Similarly the private jet levy is a no brainer, but will it impact behaviour at all? It’s doubtful. If you can afford a private jet then you can probably afford an additional £450 levy.

In surface transport it is a different story. An end to the £2 bus fare cap, an above inflation increase in rail fares and a paltry £100M for active travel schemes has to be contrasted with the continuation in the freeze on fuel duty. This can only increase reliance on private cars and limit modal shift to more sustainable options.

Rail infrastructure did get a mention, but these projects take time to roll out, so early action is needed in this Government’s term if they are to deliver real change in the nation’s transport systems

Housing

£3.4Bn for the Warm Homes plan has the potential to improve energy efficiency of a significant number of buildings, although nowhere near the number required and falls short of the manifesto pledge, so we will need to wait for the spending review to know if this will be further augmented. It is at least a recognition that efficiency is key to meeting net zero goals.

Technology

There were announcements and re-announcements of funding for CCS and green hydrogen projects, which may grab headlines in ways that more prosaic projects wouldn’t. Whilst it is important to keep these options on the table, they will not achieve the emissions reductions needed to keep within the commitments already made, let alone accelerate that change.

Over the coming days and weeks as the full text is analysed we will see more if this is a truly green government, or one putting short term populism ahead of a long term sustainable future.