David Cameron, leader of the opposition conservative Torys in the UK is putting forth a plan to offer significant tax credits to homeowners who buy green properties or who upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient or have a lower environmental impact. This "carrot vs. sticks" approach looks to give people sufficient economic incentive to shrink their carbon footprints. It would also spur companies to develop the products and services for this market.
This government-driven effort to push a green agenda is something seen much less often in the States (although perhaps more so after the 2008 election). Cameron is in the opposition so there is no guarantee that this proposal will go anywhere. Current Liberal Prime Minister Gordon Brown has advanced a proposal for "eco towns" and the Cameron proposal is designed to "out green" the party in power.
I was in London over the weekend and am currently in Copenhagen. It is interesting to see what a higher profile eco-sensitivity has in advertising both in the UK and Denmark. Europe seems to be well ahead of the U.S. in embracing the green agenda at a national level.
The impact of the environmental movement on the innovation agenda is one topic we'll tackle at Burning Questions 2007: Leading for Innovation in London in October.
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