Nature restoration and net zero emissions central to national recovery

Following today’s State Opening of Parliament and Queen’s Speech, the Aldersgate Group calls on Government to embed climate and environmental considerations at the heart of the levelling up agenda.

Nick Molho, Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group said: “The Queen’s Speech clearly set out the importance of delivering a national recovery from the pandemic and spreading economic opportunities across the country. Climate and environmental objectives are central to generating the geographically disperse investment and job creation the UK needs, and they should therefore be embedded at the heart of the Government’s legislative and policy programme.

“The first step must be to urgently bring forward the Environment Bill to progress vital amendments that will strengthen the Bill and allow for robust delivery of environmental targets. These include making interim targets binding and enhancing the linkages between the forthcoming environmental improvement plans and long-term targets. It is also crucial that the changes to procurement and planning policy announced today are consistent with and actively support the UK’s climate and environmental goals.”

Nick Molho added: “Alongside its legislative programme, it is critical that the Government further develops credible policy programmes to deliver on its net zero ambition in this parliamentary session. The highly-anticipated net zero strategy and Treasury’s net zero review must, together, provide a clear policy and funding plan to achieve net zero emissions and maximise opportunities for the economy in so doing.”

Nick Molho concluded: “Plans to spark a skills ‘revolution’ unveiled in the speech must prioritise delivery of a low carbon workforce that can drive the net zero transition. Government should carefully consider the upcoming recommendations from the Green Jobs Taskforce to prevent the supply chain issues that hindered the rollout of the Green Homes Grant.”