Climate change consultancy AEA has found that half of Britons would support a carbon tax on products deemed more harmful to the environment. Researchers at the specialist consultancy found that 51 per cent of the 2,000 UK residents studied believe that products harmful to the environment should carry a carbon tax. The survey also showed that 81 per cent of those polled would be more likely to buy UK produced good if all good were required to show country of origin labelling, as fresh produce does.

AEA believes the findings show that a significant percentage of the UK population make purchase decisions on environmental factors, not just price.

Principal consultant for agriculture at AEA Jim Webb suggested a carbon tax could be introduced rather than value-added tax. “If all products attracted a carbon tax rather than VAT, the price mechanism would effectively discriminate those products that carry a greater environmental burden,” he said.

Some 48 per cent of those surveyed said that they buy food from companies with a good environmental reputation suggesting the importance of retailers highlighting their green credentials to consumers.

But there were also variations according to age. Younger people are more likely to say they buy more products and services from businesses that have a good reputation for caring for the environment, but older people are more likely to say they buy UK-produced food.

The researchers also found that 30 per cent of people now grow more of their own food than five years ago.

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