Comment: ‘Green’ government – are they doing enough to make us eco-aware?

Friday 19 January 2018

Whether we’re thinking twice about picking up that extra 5p plastic bag or we’re drinking our morning lattes in our own cups rather than throwaways, the environment is on our minds now more than ever.

But what can we do that’s island-specific? And who should be leading the way?

Former Jersey Post Operations Director Andy Jehan, who helped secure the company a 2016 ‘Green Fleet’ award for the management of the company’s 120 vehicles, pondered the issue for his latest Express column… 

“Public awareness of the damage we do to the environment grows daily. The impact of plastics in the ocean was recently highlighted in a brilliant documentary by David Attenborough. Jersey did very well leading the way with introducing a charge for plastic bags, but it could be said we are guilty of not following this up.

In the UK there are now calls to consider a charge on plastic coffee cups. While I think the suggested 25p per cup is too high, there is certainly merit in exploring a charge of, say, 10p here to try and drive the right behaviours.

Pictured: Simple measures like coffee cup charges could have an impact on the environment, Mr Jehan says.

To date, however, there has been silence from our politicians.

Some major supermarkets are now backing plastic bottle deposits, while others are removing single-use plastics from their ranges. As individuals, we can often choose what we buy and perhaps should consider the packaging as part of our personal choice. In such a small jurisdiction we could easily seize the opportunity to lead in both of these areas.

Part of this means the government understanding and fully accounting for the consequences of its decisions.

A higher charge for Vehicle Emissions Duty (VED) was introduced during the recent Budget - almost coming in unnoticed by the motor trade and the wider business community. I am sure the proposal was well-intentioned, but unfortunately the consequences perhaps hadn't been thought through.

The Minister for Infrastructure recently introduced incentives for low emission vehicles by offering 12 months free parking. At first glance this is good - a carrot rather than a stick approach to encourage us to purchase efficient vehicles. But what about fleet operators, those people who have more vehicles and generally do more mileage? No incentive for them, unless they don't want to actually use their vehicle and park it all day for free. 

Pictured: Nelson Street Vans recently spoke out on the new VED proposals. They said that it would have the reverse effect than intended.

The likelihood now of people changing their van for a new (more efficient) model will be reduced due to the extra costs involved. I have been asking Ministers for at least three years to consider removing GST from electric vehicles, as it would make them more viable and help to reduce emissions. 

The Treasury Minister also failed to consider increasing the duty on fuel. The amount paid in Jersey is significantly lower than our near neighbours in Guernsey pay.  And before people get excited and say that it would put up the cost of living, let's think of the real options. 

The vast majority of us could actually reduce the amount of mileage we do, either by choosing an alternative means, walk, cycle, bus or sharing a lift. How many people travel to work and sit in close proximity to a neighbour using two cars, when on most occasions they could have travelled together? Perhaps the next DfI or Environment Minister could promote car sharing to reduce traffic? 

Commercial vehicle users aren’t the only ones hit by the higher VED charges. Hire car operators are also going to be affected - a service that has endured many challenges in recent years and another one that may just benefit from the removal of GST on electric vehicles, potentially making them viable for our visitors. 

Finally, when thinking of the environment, what a missed opportunity that the "sunniest place in the British Isles" hasn't embraced technology for alternative power. Small steps are being made by some local providers, let's hope the States support the required changes in legislation that make it both easier and cheaper to produce your own energy. 

Pictured: If Jersey is the sunniest in the British Isles, why not embrace solar energy? 

We should all try to do more when it comes to the environment – but that should start with Government.