Green Alliance

🆕📕 New report | We've just released our latest report with Zero Waste Scotland on critical raw materials and building long term energy security. Critical raw materials are central components of the renewable technology supply chain and demand for these materials for the global energy transition alone is expected to grow by three and a half times by 2030. The UK is currently almost 100% reliant on imports of all critical raw materials, making us particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and security risks. But there is a wealth of material building up in existing products and infrastructure that, in combination with reducing energy demand, could be reused again for future energy installations, enabling genuine energy independence and security. Our report puts forward a 5 step plan for resource security and energy independence, the UK should: 1. Make access to responsibly mined critical materials an international priority, including in discussions at COP29. 2. Gather and use more data by: 🎯 Introducing product passports 🖥️ Launching a National Materials Datahub to track materials 🧱 Synthesising data from across sectors to better coordinate infrastructure and investment decisions 3. Integrate demand reduction and circularity into industrial strategy and climate policy. This involves mandating reused/recycled content in public procurement, using policy levers to cut raw material demand by boosting public transport and energy efficiency. 4. Build skills in mining and metals processing. A plan is needed to fill skills gaps and improve the visibility of careers in mining and metals processing. 5. Securing investment, including through the National Wealth Fund and UK Infrastructure Bank, which should invest in infrastructure for circular economy, bridge the commercialisation gap for recycling tech, and support private investment in circular businesses with new financial risk approaches. Read the full analysis from Libby Peake and Heather Plumpton 👇 https://lnkd.in/ehxNeWmS #industrialstrategy #resources #circulareconomy

🎉✨ Last night we hosted our annual reception and celebrated our 45th anniversary at the spectacular Cloisters of Westminster Abbey. With 400 guests and three speakers from across the environment sector, business, media and government, there was a huge buzz. Here are a few highlights 👇 🗣️ Our executive director Shaun Spiers kicked off by emphasising our values, right from the start 45 years ago: "we've always been optimists" he said, and in looking to the future, he was optimistic that the new government "have the most ambitious environmental manifesto for any party that's been elected". ⚡ Next, David Buttress, chief executive at our event sponsor OVO, spoke about the company's involvement in our Adaptation Task Force, a convening initiative working to accelerate climate adaptation policy and promote integrated solutions to improve UK climate resilience. He said collaboration between NGOs, businesses and government was necessary to accelerate the green energy transition. 🩺 Paediatrician, health researcher and broadcaster, Dr Guddi Singh, spoke powerfully on her real experiences as a healthcare professional on the frontline, and gained huge applause for her speech reflecting on how climate change is already impacting people in the UK and across the world: "those who have contributed the least are already suffering the impacts of the climate crisis”. She challenged the decision makers present to do more: "it does feel like back to school at the moment, and for those of you in SW1... I want you to be top of the class". She said "Like Shaun I'm an optimist … we need big ideas and transformative vision, and I believe we can do it”. 🏞️ Finally, we were delighted to host the new environment secretary Rt Hon Steve Reed, who spoke with genuine passion about the new government's task in tackling nature's decline: "Nature is in crisis - this is something that was especially clear to me during the campaign trail...". He too underlined the need for collaboration with and across the environmental movement to bring about the renewal that nature desperately needs. He said "we want to make this the most nature positive government this country has ever had... because it underpins absolutely everything we do and everything that we are". Thank you to all who came and contributed to the brilliant evening, and for celebrating 45 years of Green Alliance with us. 🙌🌍 #GAevent

✍🏡 New blog | "Profound political choices are made and implemented through planning, shaping our futures and distributing economic, social and environmental costs and benefits. Who gets a say in these choices is crucial." In our latest blog, Maria Lee, professor of law at UCL, critiques the government's approach to housing planning, emphasising that current solutions lack sufficient democratic engagement and consideration of broader social and environmental impacts. https://lnkd.in/eSAFEfzt

🆕✍ Shifting to renewables won’t automatically grant UK energy independence, as we'll still import 100% the critical raw materials needed for the clean energy transition. Libby Peake discusses the solution in our first 'Critical raw materials in focus' blog: https://lnkd.in/evismhWa

Without government action and a clear industrial strategy, the chemicals industry risks falling behind our global competitors. Today we proposed solutions across 6 policy areas to get the industry fit for a greener future. Senior policy analyst Liam Hardy shares more 👇

🧪🛢️ Policy is preventing the UK chemical industry modernising and improving its climate impact. But there’s so much that could be done to improve this quickly. Our new analysis identifies the solutions in six areas that could get the industry fit for a greener future: ⚡ Electrification About 73% heat needed for chemicals manufacturing is for low temp processes which could be electric, but most are not yet electrified. By addressing barriers like high electricity prices and waiting times for new grid connections, the government could kickstart change. 🌍 Circularity and resource efficiency More efficient processes and use of products will automatically cut emissions and avoid the need for expensive alternatives as the chemical industry moves away from fossil fuels. The government could help with a clear #circulareconomy strategy for chemicals. 🚛 Feedstocks Alternatives to fossil resources as raw materials for chemical products. There are alternatives but no incentives to use them. Measures that encourage reduction and greener feedstocks will speed up decarbonisation of the industry. 🏭 Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen The government’s strategy to cut emissions in the chemical industry has targeted CCS and switching to hydrogen as fuel, but the infrastructure needs to be built faster to keep up with demand, prioritising the processes that can’t be electrified. 💡💭 Innovation The UK has lots of new ideas around how to decarbonise the chemical industry but only a tiny fraction are ending up in large scale production. We need an industrial strategy to unlock innovation and encourage more investment to put new ideas into practice. 👨🔬👩🏭 Skills The chemical sector relies on an educated workforce. As it decarbonises, new skills are needed. More support is needed for low and high level apprenticeships, and to improve the industry’s image with young jobseekers. ℹ️ Want to learn more? Read the full briefing from policy analyst William Carr: https://lnkd.in/dAeVmnyS BASF

🆕 140k UK chemicals industry jobs are at risk if it fails to decouple from its reliance on fossil fuels. In our latest briefing, we look at six areas relevant to reducing the climate impact of the UK’s chemical industry, and underline how diversifying the industry's decarbonisation strategy will foster a more resilient sector that supports greener growth. 📝 Read the briefing: https://lnkd.in/dAeVmnyS ℹ️ For further information, contact William Carr, policy analyst.

🆕✍ New blog | "Industrial strategy should be central to stronger partnership with businesses." Head of economy Steve Coulter emphasises the need for coherence and effectiveness in the government's ambitions plans for economic renewal: https://lnkd.in/e_VgtbGp

"If we can see that clear trajectory to net zero in the future, that's when you can have a discussion about passenger numbers" Senior policy adviser Johann Beckford talks to Sky News about Monday's announcement that ministers have approved London City Airport's bid to expand: https://lnkd.in/ebPNGqvz