UK’s economic recovery should include plans for net zero emissions, says report

Actions taken by the UK government to help the economy recover from the covid-19 pandemic should also help achieve net zero carbon emissions, according to Climate Assembly UK.1

The assembly, commissioned by six House of Commons select committees, involved 108 members of the public that represent the UK population in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, where and how they live, and level of concern about climate change.

The report has called for “strong and clear leadership from government” and laid out several recommendations on travel, energy consumption, food, and businesses, among other matters.

The assembly met, initially in person and later virtually, for six weekends between January and May 2020. The members heard “balanced, accurate, and comprehensive” information about how the UK could meet its net zero target.

In June 2019, the …