Third Report - Growing back better: putting nature and net zero at the heart of the economic recovery
Select Committee
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 347
17 February 2021
Government response
Second Special Report - Growing back better: putting nature and net zero at the heart of the economic recovery: Government and Bank of England Responses to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2019-21 · published 22 Jun 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
16 results
1
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 19
The consequences of another widespread outbreak of a zoonotic disease of similar lethality would be...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 20
The potential consequences of biodiversity loss for human populations have for too long been overlooked.
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 47
Policymakers owe it to everyone who has suffered during the pandemic to ‘grow back better’...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 48
The speed at which we have developed the vaccine under pressure shows how rapidly scientific...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
5
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 49
Levels of unemployment not seen in decades are now in prospect, on a scale which...
Recommendation
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, …
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Government Response Summary
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.
11
Recommendation
Accepted
We further recommend that the Government updates its Green Finance Strategy to add an explicit...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
19
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 127
There is emerging evidence that areas of the world with higher concentrations of air pollution...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
22
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 150
The switch to electric vehicles—a key component of the Government’s plan for achieving net zero—will...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
24
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 173
The manufacture of construction materials is a sector with the potential to make a significant...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
26
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 175
The Government has promised £2.9 billion for support for public sector decarbonisation projects over the...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
27
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 186
Investment in nature recovery projects could deliver a range of economic, environmental and social benefits.
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
28
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 187
The lockdowns which have been imposed to counter the spread of covid-19 have given the...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
30
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 196
We welcome the Government’s announcement of a Sovereign Green Bond and consider that it has...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
31
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 197
We further recommend that, in his forthcoming Budget Report, The Chancellor set out in detail...
Recommendation
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.
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Government Response Summary
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.
33
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 224
The UK will host COP26 in November 2020.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
36
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 227
To support the accelerated uptake of ultra-low emission cars in the UK, further tax incentives...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.