Public think economic plan should target net zero

A survey of the members of the UK's Climate Assembly has revealed that 79 per cent want net-zero alignment embedded in all facets of the upcoming coronavirus recovery package.

Chosen to resemble the national population in terms of both social demographics and views on environmental issues, the UK's Climate Assembly was asked how best the government could ensure that its plan is aligned with its 2050 climate target. The survey shows that the most commonly-cited solution was limiting bail-outs and other investments in high-carbon industries and businesses.

The report shows that 93 per cent of people said that, as the lockdown eased, the government and employers should encourage lifestyle changes to cut emissions.

It also revealed that most people would be willing to continue many of the lifestyle changes enforced by the coronavirus lockdown to help tackle the climate emergency, including working from home, cycling and walking more.

The 108 members of the assembly also recommended a ‘rethink’ of infrastructure to prioritise energy efficiency, public and active transport, onsite renewable energy generation and broadband access and further support for low-carbon industries in the form of subsidies and grants.

The chairs of the six select committees of MPs who commissioned the Climate Assembly wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 22 June to say the experience of the coronavirus crisis was likely to make people more receptive to green messages from government.

Their letter read: “In recent months, the UK public has demonstrated its capacity to respond positively and responsibly when they understand the risks posed to them by an invisible threat that demands collective action. We believe that a similar approach, based on securing public support for ambitious policies through open dialogue around the science, is a sound basis for the net zero journey.”