Faith leaders say taxing wealthy will bring down energy bills, help environment

More than 20 faith leaders have written an open letter to the federal government, urging a rise in taxation for the rich with a purpose to cope with climate change.

The letter calls for a direct tax on assets over £10 million, claiming this may raise £24 billion every 12 months for the federal government.

A ‘Climate Damages Tax’ on firms that cause pollution would, it’s claimed, raise £20 billion over 10 years, while removing subsidies for North Sea oil and gas firms would save the federal government £2.2 billion per 12 months.

Signatories include clergy and activists from different faiths and denominations. Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, put his name to the letter.

It is claimed that the measures outlined within the letter wouldn’t only make Britain greener, but would also reduce energy costs for the common British consumer.

“The climate crisis is a cost-of-living crisis. UK households are facing £3,000 in costs attributable to climate damage this 12 months alone,” the letter says.

It also stated that taxation for the common good was a shared principle across many various faiths.

The faith leaders said they wished to see government motion on their proposals ahead of COP30, the UN’s next annual conference on climate change, attributable to happen this November in Brazil.

“With COP30 fast approaching, we urge you to do the proper thing and show up for our communities within the UK and globally by being neighbour and using our taxation system to make polluters pay,” they said.

Last 12 months the conference (COP29) was held in town of Baku in Azerbaijan. The conference faced various controversies. There were revelations that fossil fuel lobbyists were exceptionally well-represented on the conference, a report that the conference host, Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister used the conference to broker oil and gas deals, and accusations that Azerbaijan was attempting to “greenwash” its human rights record.