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Policy detail isn't the clearest, so here's a little thread of the policy commitments dropped or watered down in Labour's green recovery plan... https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-green-new-deal-jobs-30-billion-stimulus-austerity-b1719833.html
*Decarbonisation target*
In effect the report abandons the 2030 decarbonisation target mandated by Conference (unmentioned). In several places it embraces the net-zero 2050 target or policies in line with it. The level of ambition is majorly reduced from Labour's 2019 manifesto.
In effect the report abandons the 2030 decarbonisation target mandated by Conference (unmentioned). In several places it embraces the net-zero 2050 target or policies in line with it. The level of ambition is majorly reduced from Labour's 2019 manifesto.
*Levels of investment*
It may sound a lot but the report doesn't call for much new spending. Largely, it's about 'bringing forward' capital investment already committed by Sunak.
Compare that with 2019 Labour's 10-year £250bn green transformation fund.
It may sound a lot but the report doesn't call for much new spending. Largely, it's about 'bringing forward' capital investment already committed by Sunak.
Compare that with 2019 Labour's 10-year £250bn green transformation fund.
*Home insulation*
Last year Labour had a transformational policy to insulate all 27m UK homes by 2030. Creates 250,000 jobs, saves families £416/year, cuts carbon emissions by 10% & eradicates fuel poverty.
Now Labour has abandoned this demand & asks for 7 million homes by 2030
Last year Labour had a transformational policy to insulate all 27m UK homes by 2030. Creates 250,000 jobs, saves families £416/year, cuts carbon emissions by 10% & eradicates fuel poverty.
Now Labour has abandoned this demand & asks for 7 million homes by 2030
*Public ownership*
Commitments to public ownership of energy, water & broadband were at the heart of the 2019 conference motion, manifesto & member submissions.
None is mentioned in this report.
Commitments to public ownership of energy, water & broadband were at the heart of the 2019 conference motion, manifesto & member submissions.
None is mentioned in this report.
*Energy policy*
proposals for publicly-owned windfarms, creating 70,000 jobs and benefitting coastal communities, axed
1.75m solar panels supplying free energy for working-class homes, axed
public ownership of energy grid, axed
proposals for publicly-owned windfarms, creating 70,000 jobs and benefitting coastal communities, axed 1.75m solar panels supplying free energy for working-class homes, axed public ownership of energy grid, axed
*Transport*
The demands are vague and unsubstantive. Nothing on free bus travels for <25s or restoring cut bus routes, let alone the expansion of free public transport we really need. Nothing on moving away from car culture. https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/08/make-public-transport-free
The demands are vague and unsubstantive. Nothing on free bus travels for <25s or restoring cut bus routes, let alone the expansion of free public transport we really need. Nothing on moving away from car culture. https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/08/make-public-transport-free
*Broadband*
Simply a call for the Government to bring forward its own investment plans. No mention of nationalisation of Openreach or free broadband access as a human right. https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/05/why-free-public-broadband-was-a-good-idea
Simply a call for the Government to bring forward its own investment plans. No mention of nationalisation of Openreach or free broadband access as a human right. https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/05/why-free-public-broadband-was-a-good-idea
*Training and apprenticeships*
Labour had existing plans for 320,000 climate apprenticeships which could be accelerated. They go unmentioned, in favour of vague demands.
Windfall tax on Big Polluters to finance a Just Transition fund is not included. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-11-18/jeremy-corbyn-320-000-climate-apprenticeships-to-help-green-economy
Labour had existing plans for 320,000 climate apprenticeships which could be accelerated. They go unmentioned, in favour of vague demands.
Windfall tax on Big Polluters to finance a Just Transition fund is not included. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-11-18/jeremy-corbyn-320-000-climate-apprenticeships-to-help-green-economy
*Big Polluters*
Nothing on winding down the Big Polluters or a just transition away from fossil fuels & aviation, despite a prominent campaign by LGND this year.
Can't be a green recovery if you're just relying on technological solutions to these! https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/05/its-time-for-labour-to-be-bold-on-the-airline-crisis
Nothing on winding down the Big Polluters or a just transition away from fossil fuels & aviation, despite a prominent campaign by LGND this year.
Can't be a green recovery if you're just relying on technological solutions to these! https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/05/its-time-for-labour-to-be-bold-on-the-airline-crisis
*Climate Finance*
There is a much-trumpeted call to mandate climate risk disclosures. But Labour's 2019 threat to delist those failing the test is gone. No regulatory threat replaces it. https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-to-go-after-the-banks-and-hedge-funds-financing-climate-change/
There is a much-trumpeted call to mandate climate risk disclosures. But Labour's 2019 threat to delist those failing the test is gone. No regulatory threat replaces it. https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-to-go-after-the-banks-and-hedge-funds-financing-climate-change/
*Democracy*
Finally the plan resolutely ignores members' and unions' democratically-expressed demands, formally Labour's policy. Conference motion isn't mentioned, nor is the fact that over 2/3 of submissions were in support of LGND proposals.
Finally the plan resolutely ignores members' and unions' democratically-expressed demands, formally Labour's policy. Conference motion isn't mentioned, nor is the fact that over 2/3 of submissions were in support of LGND proposals.
The argument might come that this is only a stimulus package and more will be put out in future. We'll see.
But if it's being labelled as a 'green recovery plan' or 'Green New Deal' - we're clear it doesn't live up to the science, climate justice or to party democracy.
But if it's being labelled as a 'green recovery plan' or 'Green New Deal' - we're clear it doesn't live up to the science, climate justice or to party democracy.
What's more, I suspect it will be blown out the water next week by Johnson's techno-utopian 'green industrial revolution'.
Labour was (briefly) the Party of Climate. At this rate, not for long!
Labour was (briefly) the Party of Climate. At this rate, not for long!
