‘Once in a lifetime chance’ for green recovery from Covid-19

THE GOVERNMENT is being urged to take more action on climate change after a report highlighted a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for a green recovery from the pandemic.

The latest report from the Committee on Climate Change said the Government was not making needed progress on the climate crisis but action could be boosted by moves to recover from the economic shock of coronavirus.

Shadow Business Secretary and Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband said the report was “a stark reminder of the gap between rhetoric and reality” on the Government’s progress on the legal goal of cutting emissions to net zero by 2050, set a year ago.

“Now is the moment for Government to step up and bring forward the most ambitious green recovery programme in the world to address the jobs crisis facing so many people, improve our quality of life and fulfil the UK’s leadership” as hosts of the key UN “Cop26” climate talks in 2021, he said.

Rain Newton-Smith, chief economist with the CBI business group, backed the need for government-led strategies on energy efficiency, cutting emissions from transport and sustainable manufacturing and industrial processes. She said: “As we look to build back better from the Covid-19 crisis, we reach a critical moment in our fight against the climate emergency. Business stands shoulder to shoulder with political leaders and consumers in its desire for ambitious change.”

Friends of the Earth climate specialist Muna Suleiman urged the Government to adopt all of the recommendations. She said road transport was a priority to make changes: “Lockdown made pollution from emissions go down, because we didn’t have a choice. Now we can travel again it’s up to Government to keep pollution down by giving people better choices to walk, cycle and take public transport when it’s safe to do so. It can also stop squandering tens of billions of pounds on new roads.”

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Local Government Association’s city regions board, said councils need to be given long-term funding, devolved powers and easier access to Government funding pots to help them deliver green jobs and cut emissions.