MPs have called on the Government to counter rising unemployment by creating green jobs and focusing investment in energy efficiency, the circular economy, climate adaptation and nature recovery.
‘Growing back better’, a report published by the Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), warns that climate change and biodiversity collapse may deliver an even greater crisis if the COVID-19 economic recovery doesn’t focus on nature and net-zero carbon.
Cllr David Renard, the LGA’s Environment Spokesperson, said: “It is crucial that the COVID-19 economic recovery has a real focus on net zero and this report rightly focuses on the need to address unprecedented levels of unemployment and investment in green jobs.”
The LGA wants the upcoming Environment Bill to be fully aligned to achieving net zero, improving air quality, protecting against flooding, and ensuring transport, waste and energy policies are environmentally sustainable. Cllr Renard added: “We support the principle set out in the Bill of increasing biodiversity net gain through the planning process. Where net gain contributions from developers cannot be delivered on site, any financial ‘credits’ should be retained by councils so that local people will have a say in how they are spent.
“A multi-year extension of the Green Homes Grant would be a positive step. Some councils have faced some challenges with the competitive, short-term nature of the grant funding, which requires sufficient staffing and capacity to apply.
“Long-term funding would empower councils to be able to properly plan activity focused on the needs of local communities as a whole to support the delivery of net zero.”
The EAC report also recommends VAT reductions in green sectors, and a focus on the use of recycled materials and the benefits of repair services.