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FIVE FOUNDATIONS FOR A NET ZERO RECOVERY

Ensure recovery packages work inclusion must be present in any
1 together as a whole to pivot the short-term measures to create jobs
UK towards a net zero economy. The and in longer-term skills planning,
packages must stimulate immediate, to reverse impacts and ensure that
low-regrets actions that help set there is the capacity and capability
the UK on the path to achieving net to transition to a net zero economy.
zero, recognising that this is only a
first step. Further large-scale and Drive digital transformation as an
cumulative change is required over 4 essential enabler of net zero and
the coming decades. resilience. Digital technologies offer
the opportunity to reduce carbon
Apply outcomes-based and deliver wider benefits, including
2 procurement processes for all resilience, through improvements
public sector infrastructure and to existing infrastructure and
building projects with a focus on buildings. Data allows individuals
low carbon, including projects that and organisations to understand and
are part of the stimulus package. manage carbon emissions, which is vital
Procurement is an essential lever for meeting carbon reduction targets.
for transforming the construction
industry and driving decarbonisation Deploy cross-sectoral systems
of the built environment. 5 approaches to policymaking that
underline the interconnectedness of
Prioritise diversity and inclusion different policy areas and economic
3 for jobs and skills to reverse sectors. This will ensure that policy
Covid-19 impacts and help build interventions work most effectively
net zero capacity and strengthen together to achieve net zero and
long-term capability. The pandemic deliver cobenefits, reduce the risk
has had an inequitable impact on of unintended consequences, and
women and the black, Asian and help account for social, cultural and
industries such as aviation, rail and minority ethnic (BAME) community. behavioural factors, which can act as
energy-intensive manufacturing such A strong focus on diversity and both barriers to and levers for change.
as steel production and chemical
processing. Cumulative, connected
change is required across different
policy areas and economic sectors
to deliver net zero, and government
should consider the technologies that
will be needed and how people’s jobs
and lives will be impacted as a result.

Cumulative, connected change
In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis,
the UK is on a pivot. It could choose
to either revert to ‘business as usual’,
where the UK risks being locked into a
high-carbon future, falling short of its
legislated commitments and failing to
show global leadership in the lead-up
to COP26. Or it could instead choose
to make a bold move towards ‘better’.
Short-term economic stimulus can
set the UK on a confident trajectory could take, which will secure a low- the Covid-19 crisis. It focuses on the net
towards meeting its net zero territorial carbon and resilient recovery. zero challenge rather than broader ‘green’
emissions target by 2050 and creating a These practical steps or building issues, for example, resource efficiency
thriving, low carbon economy. blocks will enable the UK to be an and air quality, while recognising these
The National Engineering Policy authentic and strong leader and cement are not unconnected. It highlights
Centre (NEPC) calls for an economic its place as a global science power by the importance of a socio-technical
recovery that pivots the UK towards a sending a powerful message about how perspective, a key element of a systems
net zero future, rather than one that the UK plans to make a step-change in approach, and that learning from past
locks us into a high-carbon future. It its response to climate change. policy initiatives that have attempted to
offers five foundations, accompanied The NEPC paper sets out an deliver similar objectives is essential. The
by actions that the government, engineering perspective on opportunities government’s plans to support jobs and
engineering community and others for decarbonisation as the UK responds to deliver a low-carbon economic recovery

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