Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 48
The speed at which we have developed the vaccine under pressure shows how rapidly scientific...
Conclusion
The speed at which we have developed the vaccine under pressure shows how rapidly scientific progress can be made when efforts are concentrated and urgent. We now need to apply that same level of urgency to developing and deploying the solutions to the climate and extinction crisis. The UK’s post-crisis economic recovery stimulus must be treated as an opportunity to accelerate investment on nature recovery, climate adaptation and cutting emissions to net zero. Many of the solutions necessary to slow the pace of climate change and biodiversity loss will also spur innovation, create jobs and make the economy and society more resilient to any future crisis.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Throughout the pandemic, the Government has sought to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods while also supporting businesses and public services across the UK. The Chancellor announced further support at Budget to businesses on top of the Government’s previous economic responses. These economic support measures are carefully designed to complement each other to ensure jobs and livelihoods are protected. As announced at the 2020 Summer Economic Update, £2.5bn over two years will be spent on the four building decarbonisation schemes in support of the UK’s commitment to net zero whilst supporting jobs in strategic sectors. In addition, the £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund will provide funding for projects across England to restore nature while creating and safeguarding jobs. Across the projects awarded at the first round of the Fund we estimate that more than 1,500 jobs and traineeships will be created or retained within the conservation sector and its suppliers. Finally, the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, is designed to mobilise up to £12 billion of Government investment to create and support up to 250,000 highly skilled green jobs in the UK.