Net Zero Spending Quiz

Net Zero Quiz, June’s Climate Corner at Nailsworth Library

At the June monthly ‘climate corner’ at Nailsworth Library NailsworthCAN ran a ‘Net Zero Quiz’ prompted by claims on affordability. There were 10 bowls with rice equivalent to  annual spend amounts, from £1.5 to 330 billion out of GDP of about 3000 billion.

The visitors had to place labelled categories in the right order. Categories included current subsidies for renewables and fossil fuels; projected peak spending on Net Zero; what we spend on fizzy drinks, etc.

The exercise was very successful in slaying myth of excess spending on Net Zero, but was also the basis for many conversations. Why is the press always framing the debate as a false choice between funding subsidies for renewables and social costs like winter fuel, when the much larger fossil fuel subsidies could fund winter fuel and lifting 2 child limit combined?

The US military used to say that climate change is a threat multiplier because the effects - migration, crops, water, heat stress, etc - can be the forerunners of conflict.

Net Zero and defence spending should be framed as a combined ‘security budget’. We need a strong progressive narrative and less defensiveness. Most people we meet seem to understand this.

False choices need to be challenged more strongly in every conversation we have about Net Zero.

Participants in the quiz amongst quite a few who tried it and were very engaged in conversations about spending and net zero

SPOILER ALERT ….

ANSWERS Spending amounts and percentage of GDP for selected items

Renewables Subsidies 2024                    £1.5 billion (0.05%)

Winter Fuel Allowance (2023/24)            £2 billion (0.07%)

Lifting 2-Child Limit on Benefits              £3.5 billion (0.12%)

Average Private Sector Annual Net Zero Spending till 2050              £5.4 billion

Peak Government Annual Net Zero Spending in 2030s    £6 billion

What UK Spends on fizzy drinks               £10 billion (0.3%)

Fossil Fuel Subsidies 2024                   £17.5 billion (0.58%)

Cost of Wasted Food                      £19 billion (0.63%)

Peak Private Sector Annual Net Zero Spending in 2030s   £54 billion                                                  

Current Defence Spending £70 billion (2.3%)

Current NHS Spending £330 billion (11.1%)

 Etc.

Total UK GDP                 £3,000 billion approx.

This is split between Government (45%) and Private Sector (55%)