Energy saving is good for the economy ­- Friends of the Earth Scotland comment

Energy saving and other environmental measures in Scotland could create lots
more than the 10,000 new jobs mentioned in a study released today by ACE,
the Association for the Conservation of Energy.

Duncan McLaren, Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive, said: “We
have long argued that promoting energy conservation and microgeneration
would be good for Scotland’s economy. This detailed work by ACE is an
important step forward. Policy makers should take careful note, and respond
accordingly. In our view the right response would be a step change increase
in investment in home insulation and efficiency to at least £100 million a
year in ways designed both to leverage increased private investment and to
help the fuel poor.

“ACE’s figures are useful, but actually fail to show the full potential of
climate change policy for job creation. The UK Green Fiscal Commission has
estimated that a major green tax reform could create over 450,000 jobs
across the UK, many of them in Scotland, by combining a large programme of
housing improvement with a major move to increase taxes on energy, while
cutting taxes on employment.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
T: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

1. Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look
after the planet for everyone¹s future. We think globally and act locally in
Scotland, delivering solutions to climate change by enabling and empowering
people to take both individual and collective action. We offer help to
people with the big things in life ­ helping to sustain a healthy society
and environment. We believe that all of our children¹s futures will be
better because of what we do. www.foe-scotland.org.uk

2. This comment is a response to the study “Warm Homes, Green Jobs” from the
Association for the Conservation of Energy and eaga Scotland.
http://www.ukace.org