You remember climate change, right? If you believe the UN’s chief environmental scientist, though, the UK doesn’t. The government has received a sharp slap on the wrist for turning away from renewable energies and back to fossil fuels, based on the complex mix of tax breaks and subsidies that make up the country’s energy policy.
Speaking to the BBC, Professor Jacqueline McGlade started by praising the global effort, saying: “What I’m seeing worldwide is a move very much towards investment in renewable energy. To counterbalance that you see the withdrawal of subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels.”
She then opened fire on the UK: “What’s disappointing is when we see countries such as the United Kingdom that have really been in the lead in terms of getting their renewable energy up and going – we see subsidies being withdrawn and the fossil fuel industry being enhanced.”