Pandemic can be ‘turning point’ in tackling climate crisis

The Committee on Climate Change has stressed that ministers must seize the opportunity to turn the coronavirus crisis into a defining moment in the fight against climate change.

In its annual report to Parliament, the CCC provides comprehensive new advice on delivering an economic recovery 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 highlights five clear investment priorities in the months ahead: creating low-carbon retrofits and buildings that are fit for the future; investing in and increasing tree planting, peatland restoration, and green infrastructure; strengthening energy networks for the net-zero energy transformation; improving infrastructure to make it easy for people to walk, cycle, and work remotely; and make more progress in moving towards a circular economy, highlighting that we can not only increase recycling rates rapidly but stop sending biodegradable wastes to landfill.

Additionally, for the first time, the committee sets out its recommendations government department by government department. Among these, the report says that the Department for Transport should bring forward the date for ending sales of new conventional cars from 2035 to 2032 and for the Chancellor to consider increasing the tax on gas for home heating.

Lord Deben, chair of the committee, said: “The UK is facing its biggest economic shock for a generation. Meanwhile, the global crisis of climate change is accelerating. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address these urgent challenges together; it’s there for the taking. The steps that the UK takes to rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic can accelerate the transition to a successful and low-carbon economy and improve our climate resilience. Choices that lock in emissions or climate risks are unacceptable.”