A group of over 200 UK businesses have written an open letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to emphasise the need for the post-Covid 19 recovery to be aligned with the UK government’s Climate Change Commitments.
The letter stated that the signatories believe ‘an ambitious low carbon growth and environmental improvement agenda can do a lot to address these concerns, as well as make the UK economy better prepared to deal with future shocks such as those related to climate change’.
One of the principal demands from the group is that ‘efforts to rescue and repair the economy in response to the current crisis can and should be aligned with the UK’s legislated target of net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest’.
The signatories highlighted the need for the recovery response to:
- Drive investment in low carbon innovation, infrastructure and industries, as well as improved resilience to future environmental risks;
- Focus support on sectors and activities that can best support sustainable growth, increased job creation and accelerate both the recovery and the decarbonisation of the economy;
- Include within financial support packages measures to ensure receiving businesses are well managed and their strategies are science based and aligned with national climate goals.
Many aspects of ‘business-as-usual’ have already been disrupted beyond recognition by the current health crisis and our necessary response to it. Where these changes have resulted in environmental benefits government and businesses should seek to build on these shifts to prioritise a ‘green’ recovery.
Carbon Charter members who are already working to meet or exceed national climate goals should be in a good position to benefit from financial support packages for businesses whose strategies are aligned with the UK’s net zero goals. Get in touch with a Carbon Charter advisor if this is something you would like help with.
A copy of the letter and a list of signatories is available here: www.corporateleadersgroup.com/reports-evidence-and-insights/news-items/leading-businesses-urge-uk-government-to-deliver-resilient-recovery-plan
