Greenpeace sets out plans for a greener future

A new Greenpeace manifesto sets out what the government can do to tackle both the coronavirus recession and the climate emergency.

A Green Recovery: How We Get There calls for transformative recovery packages, significant funding and radical policy changes across a range of priority areas – clean transport, green buildings, smart power, nature and a circular economy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently stated that the UK will ‘base our recovery on solid foundations, including a fairer, greener and more resilient global economy’. Although any detail on the statement has not yet followed, Greenpeace has now stressed that by implementing the green recovery plan set out in the manifesto, the government could create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, attract private investment, help to ‘level up’ communities across the UK, stimulate local economies and improve public health and wellbeing, all while putting the UK on track to meet net-zero greenhouse gas emissions before 2045.

But Greenpeace stresses that the four priority areas, and all of the specific policy, spending and fiscal measures that underpin them, must be delivered simultaneously in order to obtain the full economic, social and environmental benefits of the post-coronavirus response.

Some of the recommendations include cancelling the road-building programme and HS2 to free up £133 billion for the government to deliver this transformation of our streets, as well as provide free public transport and increase investment in buses and trains, to support a reduction in the use of private cars. Additionally, kick-starting a nationwide home and public sector energy efficiency programme will save vast amounts of money, including from people’s energy bills, and help end fuel poverty. It would also unlock billions in private investment and create thousands of skilled jobs across the UK.

Furthermore, Greenpeace argues that the government must get the UK on track to a zero-waste economy by halving the use of single-use plastics by 2025, rapidly implementing a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers of all materials and sizes, and Extended Producer Responsibility.

John Sauven, executive director at Greenpeace UK, said: “For all of the suffering and sacrifice people have endured during this health crisis, it has provided us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the way we live, travel and work – tackling the health, climate and nature crises all at the same time. This manifesto is a ready-made roadmap for the government to revive the economy while creating a green, clean, fairer future for everyone. By prioritising investments, policies, training and reskilling in clean transport, green energy, homes, and nature restoration we could create hundreds of thousands of new, secure jobs.

“The choices our government makes now will define the shape of our society and economy for the next decade, and whether or not we succeed in the fight against the climate emergency. If we fail to get this right, we may never get another chance. Now is the time for a green recovery, and for that we need action not words.”