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Rationing introduced in the UK, but not in a helpful manner


As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change release a new report on the extreme weather implications of the ongoing destabilisation of our climate, the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change quietly announce a 22% decline in UK oil production over the past year, North Sea oil and gas production is said to be "operating on the limits, perhaps over the limits, of acceptable risk" and rich nations prepare to release emergency oil reserves, what is the response?

Well, the mainstream media continue to downplay or ignore both peak oil and climate change, we see fuel rationing of the most unfair kind here in the UK (price increases and reportedly thousands of dry petrol stations) and a new military peak oil report (Swiss/US) warns that transitioning away from oil too soon might lead to a competitive disadvantage relative to other nations. Unfortunately it seems that the only two modes our Governments have are complacency and panic.

Is this appropriate, even acceptable? The words of journalist Stephen Faris spring to mind: "It's no longer possible to delve into our relationship with the global environment without drawing conclusions that make you seem like a raving fanatic to those who have yet to delve".

If nothing else, there is certainly no shortage of motivation for pushing TEQs, as the 'Peak Climate' situation continues to bite ever harder. Fortunately, word is spreading:


Spanish/Italian translations

The Spanish and Italian translations of the Parliamentary TEQs report should be ready for release next month. The latest draft of the Italian version can be seen here, but is still awaiting final design work.


Publications

Since the last update, TEQs has been included in more forthcoming publications, including the New Econonics Foundation's second New Home Front report and a special edition of the Supreme Court Law Review (Canada). Also, John Thackara has revealed the key ten books that he feels the new Italian Prime Minister should read if he wants to understand the key forces shaping our collective future. TEQs inventor Dr. David Fleming's Lean Logic is among them.


Academia

Meanwhile, in the academic world, a post-graduate dissertation has studied the barriers to, and current progress towards, implementation, while an article in the Energy Policy journal examined what we can learn from the experience of existing voluntary carbon rationing groups (CRAGs) with regard to the potential impacts and operation of a national scheme.

Thanks also to Guy Davies of Stockholm University, who got in touch to suggest some useful clarifications to our TEQs FAQs page.


Practical/political progess

As mentioned in the previous update, our friends at the Niagara Climate Change Network are pursuing possibilities regarding funding for a regional trial of TEQs, supported by Sustainable Niagara. Last month they met with Ontario Minister of Environment Jim Bradley MPP who, off the back of Canada's warmest autumn and warmest winter on record, seems keen on introducing a pilot of TEQs, and has now assigned staff to work with NCCN on moving this forward.

We were also invited into two coalitions - one in Poland and one in the UK - who were seeking funding for TEQs pilots on different scales, but these were unfortunately unsuccessful in their initial bids. Work will continue.


Finally, we have had to set up a new Facebook page, as the old Facebook groups format has been discontinued. If you use Facebook, please back us by 'liking' us here.

Thanks, as ever, for all your support and encouragement,
Shaun Chamberlin
--
TEQs Development Director
The Lean Economy Connection
www.teqs.net

TEQs Facebook group
TEQs LinkedIn group

"Rationing is the fairest and most effective way of meeting Britain's legally binding targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions"
- Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chairman, Environment Agency

Some mildly progressive but nonetheless interesting proposals from the 'environmental pillar' (coalition of environmental organisations for making policy suggestions) of the Irish government's social partnership. Such as:

4.1.1. Energy Tax and Share
This mechanism involves taxing carbon entering the country, and is taxation neutral dividing the resulting income two ways, a percentage going to each of:
• A flat level dividend to every person in the state
• Investing in the transition to a low carbon economy

and

4.1.2. Site Value Tax
The introduction of an annual Site Value Tax (SVT) at the earliest opportunity is essential to the long-term well-being and control of our land usage. It is also a revenue resource that is fair, transparent and reliable.

and

4.1.3. Taxation of Environmental “Bads”

and

4.1.8. Hypothecation of Environmental Taxation Revenue

amongst other things.

Full pdf of proposals here.