08 May 2009
People in Jersey are being asked for their views on whether funding for environmental initiatives like recycling and home insulation should continue, and if so how they should be funded.
Last year the States agreed to spend £2m in 2009 on schemes like home insulation grants, waste recycling and improving the bus service. Members agreed to provide funding for 2009 but these initiatives will stop unless they are paid for by environmental taxes.
The aim of this consultation is to ask people whether these green initiatives should continue in the future and if so, what taxes should be introduced to fund them. The Treasury has considered a number of taxes but its preferred options are a one-off Vehicle Emission Duty paid when a vehicle is first registered in Jersey and an increase in fuel duty.
Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, said: “The Council of Ministers is committed to making the environment a priority and we have made this clear in our Strategic Plan. We want to encourage people to change their behaviour, to think about the island’s delicate environment and to help preserve the Island which we all share.
“However, the initiatives need to be funded. The Treasury has looked at various options and we want to know what islanders think. Whatever options are eventually decided, they should have a negligible impact on low income households and should be simple to administer. “
The consultation, which also asks whether environmental spending should be increased beyond 2010, is due to run until Monday 6 July 2009 and is available on
www.gov.je/ChiefMinister/PublicConsultations.
If you want to receive a hard copy of the green paper, call 440276 and we will send you one.
gov.je