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Do Carbon 'Credit Cards' Get Your Vote?

18 Dec 2006 by Paul Northup

Carbon “credit cards” could be issued as part of a nationwide carbon rationing scheme according to UK Environment Secretary David Miliband.

An annual allowance would be allocated, with the card being swiped on various items such as travel, energy or food. People who used less than their allowance could sell any surplus to those who wanted more.

Mr Miliband told The Guardian that the scheme had “a simplicity and beauty that would reward carbon thrift” and a scheme could be working within five years. Individuals and communities, he said, had to be empowered to tackle climate change – “the mass mobilising movement of our age.”

“You cannot just rely on the state,” he said… sounding more and more like he ought to sign up to ‘Generous’.

Climate change he said, required “cumulative, consistent radicalism” rather than “one shot wonders”.

Yes, minister. Precisely.

Read up on the feasibility study on personal carbon credit cards carried out by the Centre for Sustainable Energy here.

Cast your vote in a BBC online poll if you think you would use a carbon credit card.

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