Despite initial hopes that the UK economy will swiftly bounce back from the shutdown caused by coronavirus, it is now becoming apparent that any recovery will be a much slower affair. It’s not all doom and gloom though. The current situation offers the government a unique opportunity to build back the British economy in a way that prioritises low carbon, environmentally friendly solutions that tackles climate change.
But what exactly would this much-touted green recovery look like?
What is a green recovery?
A green recovery will focus on policies and solutions that tackle the climate emergency, and economic and social injustice. By adopting green economy policies, countries can pave the way for an economic recovery and sustainable, lasting jobs based on environmentally sensitive business models.
The coronavirus pandemic gives the UK a chance to create an economy where ‘success is not measured by GDP, nor personal success by bank balance, but by healthy outcomes for people and planet’ according to innovation foundation Nesta.
According to Greenpeace’s Green Recovery Manifesto, the government’s measures to revive the economy ‘should build on the UK’s existing industrial strengths and skills base, generate employment and offer significant multiplier effects while being mindful of the long term shape of the economy. They should also unlock private investment, level up ‘left behind’ regions, and deliver a wide range of co-benefits such as improved public health’.
How can a green recovery be achieved?
Revolutionising the economy in this way will require real commitment from the government, with many big and lasting changes needing to be made on a policy level to ensure that it can be achieved.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has pointed out, quite rightly I believe, that the UK is at “a crossroads and that decisions made in the next few months will determine the future of the UK for decades to come.” She goes on to say that “this is not the moment for timid tinkering with the status quo, it’s the time to build a fairer, greener Britain where the national effort is focussed on health and wellbeing…The Government must seize this moment and deliver on people’s hopes for a better Britain.”
And this is not a lone voice on the left or green wing of politics. The chief executives of more than 60 British firms have written to the Prime Minister outlining the ways in which they would like to see a green recovery happen. Let’s take a closer look at these.
Investment in infrastructure, technology and skills
By investing in infrastructure, technology and skills thousands of new jobs can be generated that directly contribute to a carbon-safe future, for example green energy and sustainable transport. High-carbon infrastructure projects, such as airport expansion and road building, should be excluded from being prioritised in public and private finance by putting every measure included in the recovery package through a ‘net-zero test’.
Investment in infrastructure should also include ways for people to contribute to reducing their carbon footprint on an individual level. The use of electric vehicles should be promoted and charging points made available in all communities. Making people aware that they can have an electric car charger at home, as well as on the street, will help to encourage uptake of electric cars. This shift is increasingly important as pressure mounts on the government to phase out sales of fossil fuel vehicles by the end of this decade.
Incentivise public transport to reduce emissions
People should be discouraged from private car use through investment in public transport, and walking and cycling infrastructure. Though the UK is committed to net-zero carbons emissions by 2050, more should be done to support this with implementation, monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections should be rapidly scaled up. As well as lowering carbon emissions, this approach will promote health and wellbeing, and help to protect green spaces.
Support sustainable food, farming and fishing
The government should invest in a sustainable food system that will provide healthy, nutritious food to people, improve food security, protect the diversity of plants and animals, protect the welfare of both farmed and wild species, and avoid damaging or wasting natural resources.
This will be increasingly important as the UK leaves the Brexit transition phase, as new laws will be introduced to ensure the natural world is protected. Environmental legislation needs to be passed swiftly and targets should be introduced for the restoration and protection of nature on a massive scale.
Is there support for a green recovery?
A recent cross-party consultation found that the UK public are firmly behind big changes to the future of work, public services, community, nature and local life. According to the All Party Parliamentary Group’s ‘Reset’ inquiry, there is “widespread public support for the government to take steps to completely reshape everyday life in Britain. Some of the most popular changes, including more green spaces, liveable streets, less traffic, more flexible working patterns and food grown closer to home, would make a significant contribution to meeting the UK’s climate change targets”.
As well as the general public and business leaders, many of Britain’s leading charities also support a green recovery, including the Women’s Institute, the National Trust, the RSPB and Oxfam. “We know a green recovery makes economic sense, and is supported here in the UK and overseas by leading businesses, academics, ministers and health representatives,’ says Tanya Steele, chief executive of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). “What we urgently need to see now, and post-pandemic, is commitments from the government in turning this into action.”
Conclusion
Whilst there is clearly a popular mandate for a green recovery, it can only be implemented successfully with action from the government and strong political leadership. Ministers need to follow through on pledges designed to grab headlines and implement legislation to make sure the changes that people want happen, and aren’t forgotten or ignored.
By investing in infrastructure, skills and technology, reducing emissions, encouraging active travel and supporting sustainable food, farming and fishing, the UK can emerge from the troubled times of COVID-19 a stronger, fairer, happier and greener society. This won’t just benefit business but it’ll benefit all of society and position Britain as a world leader in the emerging green economy in a post Brexit world.
Joe Cox is Content Director at Bristol based digital marketing agency, Superb Digital.
- Log in to post comments