Branson is a green hypocrite of the worst type
We need to create incentives and a tax structure that encourages clean energy investment. Companies, even those not working in environment, should invest just 1 percent into clean energy.
Sir Richard Branson 2006 Keynote luncheon at CGI (Clinton Global Initiative)
Virgin Atlantic 2012 : is taking the EU to court to STOP their action on climate.
Virgin offer no alternative, they're not making the emissions right some other way, they're just fighting for the power to use our atmosphere like an open sewer. Because some of their international jet-set passengers might not like the CO2 fees. Poor babies. It seems that having gone to CGI, and said all the right things, when he has the smallest risk of the smallest impact to just part of his business he fights against everything he committed to.
The Carbon War Room (previously called Creating Carbon Wealth) has done nothing but create greenwashing for Branson - while maybe getting other people to come up the wealth making ideas for him. There's nothing wrong with that - except that his businesses are actually trying to *stop* the EU from reducing CO2 emissions.
He could be found in front of any available mic in Rio 20+ spouting platitudes about being green and 'radically' changing business. Then gave a bunch of awards to some kids who aren't going to change anything worth a damn for the next 10 years. But they look nice in photos. Meanwhile GE (for example) IS radically changing business. And Virgin are radically digging in their heels and crying foul.
Maybe ETS needs to be better but you dont sit on your ass making speeches about how it's time to get moving and then try to stop the only people actually getting moving. Stop the speeches and get out of our way. We have a planet to fix.
