A carbon tax has long been a point of contention for many who support free markets. Could it be freedom’s answer to climate change, or are its costs too onerous on consumers and businesses? This panel debated whether such a tax could be implemented, and the likely changes that would be needed in our economy for it to work.
From Sunday 4th to Tuesday 6th October, the TaxPayers’ Alliance and the Institute of Economic Affairs hosted the 7th annual ThinkTent, which brought together politicians, journalists, academics, and business leaders to discuss some of the key issues facing the country. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the political party conference season moved online this year, so we live streamed all our events on YouTube.
Speakers:
Danielle Boxall (Chair) | Media Campaign Manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance
Danielle Boxall joined in September 2020 and promotes the TPA’s values and research in print, broadcast and online. She previously worked at the online magazine UnHerd making podcasts and videos as their Audiovisual Producer, and as a newsreader at her local radio station. Danielle has a degree in History and Politics from the University of York.
Stephen Fitzpatrick | CEO and Founder of OVO and Founder of the Zero Carbon campaign
Stephen Fitzpatrick is an entrepreneur and founder focused on zero carbon solutions. He is the CEO and founder of OVO Energy which brings clean affordable energy to nearly 5 million customers. Stephen is also the founder of Vertical Aerospace, an electric aircraft company set to reinvent the way we fly. Stephen launched the Zero Carbon campaign in July 2019, following the UK Government’s announcement of its plan to secure national net zero emissions by 2050. The central aim of the project is to ensure that the Government achieves its 2050 commitment by becoming the first major economy to put a meaningful price on carbon.
Professor Dieter Helm | Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford
Dieter Helm is Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford. He has provided extensive advice to UK and European governments, including The Cost of Energy Review for the UK government in October 2017 and for the European Commission in preparing the Energy Roadmap 2030. Dieter served both as a special advisor to the European Commissioner for Energy and as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on the Roadmap
Jamie Whyte | Classical liberal academic and author of “Crimes Against Logic”
Jamie Whyte is the former Research Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs. Prior to joining the IEA, Jamie was the leader of ACT New Zealand as well as the Head of Research and Publishing at Oliver Wyman Financial Services. He has previously worked as a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group, as a philosophy lecturer at Cambridge University and as a foreign currency trader.
Rich Woolley | Head of Energy and Climate Change at the Chemicals Industry Association (CIA).
Rich’s role is focussed on providing an industry perspective on climate policy development. The chemical sector is developing the advanced technologies and materials which will underpin a net zero economy, but chemistry is energy intensive and UK industry competes globally for market share. As the cost of energy rises in the UK, to accommodate a move to zero carbon energy, a just transition is needed to ensure the UK can decarbonise manufacturing, rather than offshore it. Previous to his work with the CIA, Rich was a consultant working on energy and climate policy and corporate carbon compliance.