Covid recovery 'may catapult Scots towards net-zero economy'

A climate crisis advisory group has released an eight-point plan with practical solutions it says the Scottish Government should bring in to move the country towards a net-zero economy post Covid-19.

The Climate Emergency Response Group (Cerg) said that Scotland’s response to Covid-19 should be seen as a massive opportunity to “catapult and prioritise” a just transition to a green economy creating jobs and improving the country’s health.

The proposals include retrofitting buildings, a rural jobs creation programme and a green scrappage scheme.

In order to reach a climate neutral economy the report says Scotland needs additional resource investment of around £2bn-£5bn per year between now and 2050.

The four priority areas are; retrofitting buildings for a net-zero Scotland, a rural jobs creation programme, green enterprise support, and a city and town infrastructure transformation programme.

The four strategies are; unlocking private investment with greater policy certainty, a green scrappage scheme, green future skills and an expanded capital investment stimulus.

Organisations supporting Cerg’s work include the Green Investment Bank, the National Farmers’ Union Scotland, Poverty Alliance, Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Scottish Power, Scottish Renewables, the Scotch Whisky Association, the Woodland Trust Scotland and WWF Scotland.

Commenting on the report, WWF Scotland’s head of policy Fabrice Leveque said: “A decade ago, governments around the world responded to the financial crisis with business as usual with only 16% of the UK stimulus going to clean measures. We’re still reaping the consequences.

“We need to learn the lessons of the past and build back a better, greener and fairer economy that is resilient to the climate emergency accelerating before our eyes.

“A wealth of evidence shows that steps to make our economy lower carbon can secure jobs and bring other benefits like cleaner air, warmer homes and better health.”