SWM News July 2020 - Can the regional recovery really be 'green?'
I'm sure all subscribers to our newsletter will now be familiar with the term 'green recovery.' In short, it refers to ensuring that we can come out of the current Covid-19 pandemic in a sustainable, low carbon way, learning from any new, good habits and values that we have implemented or more widely practised as a society during the lockdown, and taking these forward. The pandemic is far from over yet, but with lifting lockdown restrictions the next few months will be key in determining whether a return to 'normal' will, indeed be 'new' or 'like it was before.'
Earlier this month, the Chancellor announced his summer statement which included some key measures that, if implemented, would certainly contribute to this vision of a green recovery. Our current Communications Volunteer, Luca Mitchell, has helpfully summarised the statement and the sustainability aspects of this in a recent post. The main headline is funding towards the energy efficiency of buildings, especially those hard-to-treat homes. There is no doubt that decarbonising awkward, solid wall, 19th Century built houses is going to be one of the greatest challenges to meeting our net zero targets nationally, so it is a welcome announcement, especially with more people working at home and fuel poverty levels still subbornly high. It goes without saying, though, that we need to see announcements turn into reality - and soon. Indeed, some don't think the announcement goes far enough, as a useful post by Energy Live News summarising various viewpoints demonstrates.
Plus, there is more we need to do beyond upgrading our building stock. What about reinvigorating the public transport network, especially in rural areas, when it is safe to do so? Capitalising on people's enthusiasm about their local green space and making them safer and better protected? Learning from innovations developed to help combat social isolation? Ensuring any building upgrades also consider risks to overheating?
We are starting to work with local partners, in particular the West Midlands Combined Authority, to look at these issues and help ensure that the regional response to the tragedy that has been this last 4+ months is, at least, as sustainable as possible. The WMCA is responding very positively, and we also focused on this issue at the most recent Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting that we convened in partnership with the Innovation Alliance WM. Some really interesting ideas were heard and we will be working with partners to catalyse some of these and help with implementation.
We're also keen to hear from you if you have any solutions to the sustainability challenges we face and ideas as to how we can ensure the green recovery is a reality. Get in touch!
Alan Carr, Senior Sustainability Adviser, on behalf of the Sustainability West Midlands Team
