Momentum for a green recovery - our comments on the Government's new Plan for Jobs

This week heralded some important announcements for building back better, and greener, from the Covid-19 crisis. Commenting on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Summer Economic Update and the new Plan for Jobs, Accelar’s Managing Director Chris Fry observed:

“The Plan for Jobs is welcomed for the energetic approach to job retention as well as its distinctive green tones, and specific green measures that should help decarbonisation in the short term.” 

“Momentum towards a low carbon and fair economy can however be relatively quick to disperse, particularly if individual policy measures or funding boosts do not dovetail with the other steps necessary to create and transform markets.  For sustained clean growth the trick will be to mobilise action quickly to reskill people and create jobs, and to do so in a way that builds, sustains and further accelerates green opportunities.” 

“For example, the new Green Homes Grant aims to upgrade over 600,000 homes across England and should kickstart the energy efficiency retrofit market once again.  By successfully delivering that target it will reach 2.5% of England’s building stock and so on its own that may only start the ball rolling in the context of the very few homes currently being rated as ‘A’ or ‘B’ in terms of their energy performance and around 10% of households also being in fuel poverty.”

“The Plan may also signal greater determination to unlock the co-benefits of green investment, for jobs, productivity, community wellbeing and so on.  In particular, if well channelled the Green Jobs Challenge Fund enables charities and public authorities to create and protect 5,000 jobs that will not only improve the environment but can deliver other benefits such as for public health and nature-based flood resilience.”

Accelar’s Associate Director Clare Ollerenshaw added “It would be great to see the £2bn allocated to the Kickstart scheme to get young people into work, focused on circular economy businesses. Companies that work in the area of re-use, repair and remanufacture create both opportunities for young people to enter the workplace and develop vital skills as well as supporting businesses that are fit for the future in a low carbon UK.”

“It’s very encouraging to see organisations like the West Midlands Combined Authority committing to a green COVID –19 recovery plan that is linked to existing climate action plans. Combined with government support announced today this should accelerate practical action on the ground.”

Delivering jobs and a green recovery will clearly require a collective effort and new collaborations.  Accelar has been helping to prepare clients to seize the opportunities associated with a critical decade of transition towards net zero, natural capital restoration and resilience to a changing climate.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have also been able to grow our team, creating two new green jobs in the West Midlands. (Please see our June 2020 press release for further information).

Photo by photo-nic.co.uk nic on Unsplash