Public more environmentally progressive than the Government - Baker

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Feb 2006

A Guardian/ICM poll has revealed that 63% of the population approve of new green taxes to discourage environmentally damaging behaviour. Commenting on the Poll, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Norman Baker MP, said "I am delighted to see that so many people are aware that we need more green taxation in order to protect our environment for the future. It is a pity that the government is not as progressive in its thinking as the public."

Mr. Baker further said "It is important that the government leads the way forward by using market mechanisms, such as green taxation, to encourage environmentally sustainable behaviour. The simple message is that polluters must pay. But that doesn't mean more tax for everyone; it means a fairer tax system that will financially reward those who use environmental factors in their decision-making, something which the Liberal Democrats have argued for many years."