Appetite for change - Accountancy Nieuws

Businesses generally believe that existing environmentaltaxes, regulations and incentives are ineffective,inconsistent and unclear. When asked about seven differentfactors related to environmental policy, less than half ofbusinesses agreed with the government’s current approach.Fewer than 15 per cent strongly agreed (see fig. 14 below).One of the greatest concerns among business leaders isthe inconsistency of policies and enforcement, both withinand among nations. For example, the EU Emissions TradingScheme was established in 2005, but emissions trading islimited elsewhere. Only 41 per cent of utility companies in thissurvey are involved in an emissions trading scheme, whichin part reflects their uncertainty about the impact of suchschemes on company behaviour, given weak carbon prices.This kind of regulatory diversity creates what are perceivedas unfair advantages and unnecessary costs. Peter Dobney,Group Manager, Resources and Energy, Amcor Limited, says“There are currently environmental efficiency regulations inevery state [in Australia] and there are huge inconsistenciesbetween them.... This generates enormous compliance costs.I would like to see an end to the state regulations and forthese to be replaced with a single national scheme.”Less than half of businesses agreedwith the government’s current approachFigure 14There is work to be done in convincing organisations about all aspects of government tax and regulatory frameworksAgreeEffective engagement withbusinesses over env. policies163536946%Sufficient priority given to businessissues re. climate change1837331043%Confident making long terminvestment/business decisions1935321143%Consistent long-term env. taxand/or regulation policy223531939%Clear policy re environmentaleconomic instruments224029736%Joined up thinking betweengovernments of different countries263428735%Joined up thinking betweendepartments/bodies/agencies273429635%Strongly disagree Slightly disagree Slightly agree Strongly agreeHow strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the government’s environmental tax and regulation framework? Base: Total (654)Appetite for change. PricewaterhouseCoopers. 23