In its annual report to Parliament, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) provided an outline of a recovery that could accelerate the transition to a cleaner, net-zero emissions economy and strengthens the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

CCC Chairman, Lord Deben, 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.”

The new analysis expands on previous (May 2020) advice to the Prime Minister in which the principles for building a resilient recovery were set out. In its new report a wide set of measures are assessed and the latest evidence on the role of climate policies in the economic recovery considered.

The report highlights five clear investment priorities in the months ahead: Low-carbon retrofits and buildings that are fit for the future; tree planting, peatland restoration, and green infrastructure; energy networks; infrastructure to make it easy for people to walk, cycle, and work remotely; and a move toward a circular economy.

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