The UK government must factor in renewables when rebuilding the economy after the COVID-19 crisis, according to the Committee on Climate Change.
Actions towards net-zero emissions and limiting damage from climate change will help rebuild the UK with a stronger economy, said Lord Deben, CCC chairman, in an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change should be integral to any recovery package, he added.
Deben said there are “clear” societal benefits to be availed from from immediate expansion of low-carbon investments, re-skilling for a net-zero economy and upgrading home to ensure they are fit for the future.
In the open letter, the CCC strongly urged the government to use climate investments to support the economic recovery and jobs.
“Our previous work has identified a detailed set of investments to reduce emissions and manage the social, environmental and economic impacts of climate change. Many are labour-intensive, spread geographically across the UK and will have high multiplier effects.
“The government can act to bring these investments forward, often without direct public funding or by co-financing to accelerate private investment, as part of a targeted and timely stimulus package with lasting, positive impacts,” wrote Deben.
The CCC also urged the government to ensure the recovery does not ‘lock-in’ greenhouse gas emissions or increased climate risk.
“It is right that actions are taken to protect jobs and industries in this immediate crisis, but the government must avoid ‘lock-in’ to higher emissions or increased vulnerability to climate change impacts over the long term.
“Support for carbon-intensive sectors should be contingent on them taking real and lasting action on climate change, and new investments should be resilient to climate change,” the letter said.
https://renews.biz/60100/uk-urged-to-rebuild-economy-with-renewables/
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