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MPs seek water efficiency and green infrastructure as recovery priorities

by Karma Loveday

Retrofitting and constructing water efficient homes and investing in green infrastructure we re among the Covid 19 recovery priorities identified by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) in its annual report to Parliament, published last week.


The report urged ministers to seize the opportunity to turn the Covid 19 crisis into a defining moment in the fight against climate change.


The CCC advised government on delivering an economic recovery from the pandemic that accelerates the transition to a cleaner, net-zero emissions economy and strengthens the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. The report expanded on the Committee’s May 2020 advice on the principles for building a resilient recovery and highlighted five clear investment priorities for the months ahead.



Low-carbon retrofits and buildings that are fit for the future. “There are vital new employment and reskilling opportunities across the country if governments support a national plan to renovate buildings and construct new housing to the highest standards of energy and water efficiency, to begin the shift to low-carbon heating systems, and to protect against overheating. Roll-out of ‘green passports’ for buildings and local area energy plans can begin immediately.”


Tree planting, peatland restoration, and green infrastructure. “Investing in nature, including in our towns and cities, offers another quick route to opportunities for highly-skilled employment, and outcomes that improve people’s lives. By making substantial changes in our use of l


and, which are needed to meet the UK’s Net Zero target, we will bring significant benefits for the climate, biodiversity, air quality, and flood prevention.”


Energy networks must be strengthened for the net-zero energy transformation to support electrification of transport and heating.


Infrastructure to make it easy for people to walk, cycle, and work remotely.


Moving towards a circular economy. “Within the next five years, we can not only increase reuse and recycling rates rapidly but stop sending biodegradable wastes to landfill. Local authorities need support to invest strategically in separated waste collections and recycling infrastructure and to create new regional jobs.”


The CCC also identified opportunities to support the recovery by investing in the UK’s workforce, and in lower-carbon behaviours and innovation.


Reskilling and retraining programmes. “The net-zero economy will require a net-zero workforce, able to install smart low-carbon heating systems and to make homes comfortable; to design, manufacture and use low-carbon products and materials; and to put carbon back, rather than taking carbon out, from under the North Sea. Now is the time to build that workforce and to equip UK workers with vital skills for the future.”


Leading a move towards positive behaviours. “There is a window for government to reinforce the ‘climate-positive’ behaviours that have emerged during the lockdown, including increased remote working, cycling and walking. The public sector must lead by example by encouraging remote working. It also needs to innovate in order that customer service can be provided effectively remotely.”


Targeted science and innovation funding. “Kick-starting research and innovation now in low-carbon and adaptation technologies will facilitate the changes needed in the decades ahead and build UK competitive advantage. The Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the importance of research if we are to understand fully the threats and learn how to manage them.”


Chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, said: “Covid 19 has shown that planning for systemic risks is unavoidable. We have warned repeatedly that the UK is poorly prepared for the very serious impacts of climate change, including flooding, overheating and water shortages. Now is the moment to get our house in order, coordinate national planning, and prepare for the inevitable changes ahead. The UK’s domestic ambition can be the basis for strong international climate leadership, but the delivery of effective new policies must accelerate dramatically if we’re to seize this chance.”

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