Greening the post-Covid recovery

Environmental Audit Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 May 2020 Closed: 27 Jul 2022 Parliament page
In May the Committee held a session on the environmental implications of the Covid-19 crisis. Witnesses stressed how critical it would be to align the post-crisis recovery stimulus with the UK’s goals on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development – given the short window of opportunity remaining to keep global … Read more
29 Recommendations
9 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
4 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 10 events
22 Jun
2021
Report published
17 Feb
2021
Report published
17 Feb
2021
Correspondence
25 Jan
2021
Correspondence
14 Jan
2021
Correspondence
3 Dec
2020
Oral evidence
24 Sep
2020
Formal meeting · Virtual meeting
23 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
9 Jul
2020
Correspondence
21 May
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
3 Dec 2020
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Andrew Forth · Royal Institute of British Architects Dr Steve Melia · University of the West of England Konstanze Scharring · Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Martha McPherson · Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), University College London (UCL) Professor Jim Hall · National Infrastructure Commission Sarah Gordon · Impact Investing Institute Stephen Fitzpatrick · OVO Energy
23 Jul 2020
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Oral evidence
Caterina Brandmayr · Green Alliance Dimitri Zenghelis · Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Melanie Leech · British Property Federation Richard Benwell · Wildlife and Countryside Link Sue Ferns · Prospect Trade Union Tom Thackray · CBI
21 May 2020
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Environmental Audit Committee
Christiana Figueres · United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Professor Cameron Hepburn · University of Oxford Professor Frank Kelly · Imperial College London Professor Kate Jones · University College London Professor Tim Lang · City University London's Centre for Food Policy Steve Waygood · Aviva Investors
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Growing back better: putting nature and net zero … HC 347 17 Feb 2021 38 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
16 results
Clear
1 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The consequences of another widespread outbreak of a zoonotic disease of similar lethality would be...
The consequences of another widespread outbreak of a zoonotic disease of similar lethality would be catastrophic. Covid-19 must therefore be treated as a wake-up call. The factors which appear to be increasing the incidence of such diseases must be thoroughly … Read more
Government Response
The government states its firm commitment and outlines a Five Point Plan to tackle zoonotic threats, including proposing a UK centre for zoonotic disease research, establishing a Global One Health Intelligence Hub, and leveraging presidencies of G7 and COP26 to drive international activity.
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2 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The potential consequences of biodiversity loss for human populations have for too long been overlooked.
The potential consequences of biodiversity loss for human populations have for too long been overlooked. It is vital that nature recovery is also prioritised in our economic recovery efforts alongside action on climate change. If measures to promote economic recovery … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines significant commitments to prioritise nature recovery, including making it an international priority, investing £3 billion in nature-based solutions, and implementing domestic initiatives through the Environment Bill and the Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
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3 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
Policymakers owe it to everyone who has suffered during the pandemic to ‘grow back better’...
Policymakers owe it to everyone who has suffered during the pandemic to ‘grow back better’ from the crisis by creating a greener, healthier and more resilient UK. Fairness and the levelling up agenda must be central in efforts to secure … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to its "levelling up" agenda and details specific initiatives, including funding for skills, 8 Freeports, the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, and investments in green industries like floating offshore wind, energy storage, and biomass, all aimed at creating a greener and more resilient UK.
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4 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The speed at which we have developed the vaccine under pressure shows how rapidly scientific...
The speed at which we have developed the vaccine under pressure shows how rapidly scientific progress can be made when efforts are concentrated and urgent. We now need to apply that same level of urgency to developing and deploying the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of accelerating investment for a green recovery, highlighting existing commitments such as £2.5 billion for building decarbonisation, an £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund, and the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
Levels of unemployment not seen in decades are now in prospect, on a scale which...
Levels of unemployment not seen in decades are now in prospect, on a scale which inevitably demands Government intervention. In its approach to the recovery, the Government should, as far as possible, front-load its investment in areas such energy efficiency, … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines significant existing investments that align with front-loading for a green jobs boost, including £2.5 billion for building decarbonisation, an £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund, and the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan mobilising up to £12 billion to create green jobs.
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
We further recommend that the Government updates its Green Finance Strategy to add an explicit...
We further recommend that the Government updates its Green Finance Strategy to add an explicit objective to reduce the carbon intensity—and therefore the climate risk exposure—of the UK corporate sector and financial markets, such as the London Stock Exchange. The … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation in principle by committing to implement fully mandatory TCFD-aligned disclosures, which will require organisations to provide information to build awareness of climate risks, inform investment decisions, and drive the transition to a lower carbon economy.
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
There is emerging evidence that areas of the world with higher concentrations of air pollution...
There is emerging evidence that areas of the world with higher concentrations of air pollution may be experiencing higher covid-19 mortality rates. The development of active travel infrastructure, designed to reduce traffic and promote walking and cycling in towns and … Read more
Government Response
The government commits £5 billion for cycling and buses over the current parliament as part of major investments in clean transport, which directly supports the development of active travel infrastructure.
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The switch to electric vehicles—a key component of the Government’s plan for achieving net zero—will...
The switch to electric vehicles—a key component of the Government’s plan for achieving net zero—will require the introduction of cutting-edge manufacturing processes to the UK’s automotive sector for the manufacture of electric vehicles and their batteries. It is estimated that … Read more
Government Response
The government has accepted the need for support, committing £500 million over four years for the development and mass-scale production of electric vehicle batteries and supply chain, alongside £1.88 billion for charging infrastructure and grants.
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24 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The manufacture of construction materials is a sector with the potential to make a significant...
The manufacture of construction materials is a sector with the potential to make a significant contribution to the path to net zero. We plan to examine this sector in greater detail in a forthcoming inquiry into the sustainability of the … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines several existing schemes, including the Local Authority Delivery Scheme and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which committed £1.3 billion for improving energy efficiency in 2021/22, as part of its efforts towards net zero and decarbonisation.
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26 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The Government has promised £2.9 billion for support for public sector decarbonisation projects over the...
The Government has promised £2.9 billion for support for public sector decarbonisation projects over the five years to 2025. We consider that there is an urgent need for the front-loading of programme expenditure, and we recommend that as part of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that existing initiatives, including the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, are already on track to provide significant funding for energy efficiency upgrades in public sector buildings and social housing, with additional funding announced for local authorities.
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27 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
Investment in nature recovery projects could deliver a range of economic, environmental and social benefits.
Investment in nature recovery projects could deliver a range of economic, environmental and social benefits. As well as protecting UK wildlife, well designed schemes could create thousands of job opportunities, while improving flood resilience and locking more carbon in trees … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to improving the natural environment and highlights the £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund, which is already funding projects to restore nature, create jobs, and build skills.
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28 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The lockdowns which have been imposed to counter the spread of covid-19 have given the...
The lockdowns which have been imposed to counter the spread of covid-19 have given the public compelling reasons to appreciate the value of neighbourhood green spaces in towns and cities. Projects designed to enhance urban biodiversity and to increase access … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of urban green spaces and details existing initiatives such as the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, the National Model Design Code, and Local Nature Recovery Strategies, which aim to enhance urban biodiversity and improve access to green spaces.
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30 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
We welcome the Government’s announcement of a Sovereign Green Bond and consider that it has...
We welcome the Government’s announcement of a Sovereign Green Bond and consider that it has significant potential to incentivise a green recovery. We recommend that the Government undertake a full evaluation of the potential economic and social benefits of its … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to reporting post-issuance on the allocation of green bond proceeds, their environmental impacts, and important social co-benefits such as job creation, with further details to be provided in a Framework document.
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31 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
We further recommend that, in his forthcoming Budget Report, The Chancellor set out in detail...
We further recommend that, in his forthcoming Budget Report, The Chancellor set out in detail a plan to ensure that revenue from the Sovereign Green Bond is invested only in projects which deliver demonstrable, significant and measurable environmental benefit. Read more
Government Response
The government confirms that revenue from the Sovereign Green Bond will be invested in projects with environmental benefits, and a Green Bond Framework document, detailing the selection process and committing to post-issuance environmental impact reporting, will be published by the end of June.
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33 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
The UK will host COP26 in November 2020.
The UK will host COP26 in November 2020. All eyes will be on the UK as an environmental world leader. The Chancellor’s Spring Budget must back this ambition, and ensure that the UK’s spending plans align with its net zero … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, which mobilises £12 billion investment to create green jobs and aligns with net zero and biodiversity commitments, further supported by green gilts and the new UK Infrastructure Bank.
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36 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Growing back better…
To support the accelerated uptake of ultra-low emission cars in the UK, further tax incentives...
To support the accelerated uptake of ultra-low emission cars in the UK, further tax incentives should be introduced to make these vehicles more affordable. Where current environmental taxes, such as Air Passenger Duty, are blunt in their effect, the Chancellor … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing tax benefits for zero and ultra-low emission vehicles, including zero Vehicle Excise Duty and favourable company car tax rates until 2024-25, and mentions a £1.88 billion commitment for plug-in grants and charging infrastructure. It states it keeps taxes under review and is consulting on reforms to Air Passenger Duty.
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Government Response AI assessment · 38 of 29 classified
Accepted 16
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 10
Rejected 3
Total 29 recs + 9 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
17 Feb 2021 To committee Letter from the Bank of England to the Chair on addressing the financial risks of climate change, dated 8 February 2021
Parliament page
25 Jan 2021 Chair to the Governor of the Bank of England, concerning the post-Covid recovery, dated 22 January 2021
Parliament page
14 Jan 2021 Chief Nursing Officer for England to Chair regarding single-use plastics and PPE, dated 18 September 2020
Parliament page
9 Jul 2020 To committee Letter from UK Health Alliance regarding Principles for a Healthy Recovery
Parliament page