Green taxes ''could support renewable energy schemes''

Written by Andrew Marshall.

A shift towards green taxes could provide more financial support towards the development of renewable energy schemes and energy efficiency measures, it has been claimed.

Research published by the Green Fiscal Commission suggests that bigger green taxes on pollutants might help the environment by cutting the UK''s carbon emissions.

The organisation''s report reveals that a green tax shift could also boost the development of cleaner energy and cars.

Commission chair Robert Napier said: ''This report adds the numbers to an issue that has frequently been discussed in more general terms.

''It shows that green fiscal reform could help put the UK on a low-carbon track and from that many positives will flow.''

Meanwhile, the government last week announced it will be pledging new funding towards the development of deep geothermal energy.

Ministers believe that deep geothermal could offer a valuable source of renewable energy to support the UK''s electricity supplies.