This written answer has just been published by the House of Commons:
Asked by Caroline Lucas
(Brighton, Pavilion)
Asked on: 20 May 2020
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Economic Situation: Coronavirus
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which (a) Departmental and (b) cross-Departmental initiatives are ensuring that the Government's economic response to the covid-19 outbreak contributes to the achievement of the UK's climate and environmental goals; and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Kwasi Kwarteng
Answered on: 08 June 2020
As we recover from COVID-19, the Government intends to deliver a UK economy which is stronger, greener, more sustainable and more resilient.
The UK was the first major economy to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050 while showing that growing our economy and cutting emissions can be achieved in parallel - growing our economy by 75% while cutting emissions by 43% over the past three decades. The UK has over 460,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains, and many of the actions we need to take to reach our net zero target will support the future growth of our economy.
Already we have announced that onshore wind and solar projects can bid for contracts in the next Contracts for Difference allocation round and a £2 billion package for cycling and walking. On 8 June, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a Green Recovery working group, one of five new ‘recovery roundtables' bringing together businesses, business representative groups and leading academics, to unleash Britain's growth potential and help the economy recover from the pandemic. This group will explore how to capture the economic growth opportunities from the shift to net zero emissions.
That's it? Seriously? Having had time to think about he can mention £2 billion of walking and cycling, which to put it in context is £30 each, so can I have a new lead for the dog and a pair of bicycle clips, please?
I also note the new round table has no trade union representatives, and no one from civil society where the demand for a Green New Deal began. So that's really going to win support and represent all interests.
As responses go this is wholly inadequate.
And as indication of that, net-zero and growth are mentioned in the same sentence.
I despair.
Hat tip: David Lowry
Thanks for reading this post.
You can share this post on social media of your choice by clicking these icons:
You can subscribe to this blog's daily email here.
And if you would like to support this blog you can, here:
Domber and Dumber working for world well-being!
“A new net-zero plan launched by Zero Waste Scotland aims to show public, private and third sector organisations how to rebuild after coronavirus and meet their vital obligations on ending the climate emergency at the same time.” https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/press-release/new-five-step-net-zero-plan-identify-most-effective-ways-doing-business-differently
The Plan: https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/ZWS1545%20Our%20Path%20to%20Net%20Zero%20FINAL.pdf
What they have done themselves so far: https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/ZWS1567%20Green%20Team%20-%20Path%20to%20Net%20Zero%20FINAL.pdf
Oat milk for your coffee anyone? I think I’ll bring my own from a Jersey cow.
Thanks
It all reeks of fear doesn’t it?
A fear created by the ideology that every penny they spend must be paid back. It’s pathetic in the extreme.