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Green recovery plans announced to boost jobs and the environment in the aftermath of COVID-19

Investing in Northern Ireland’s natural environment has a vitally important role to play in the economic recovery from Covid-19, leading RSPB NI to announce a proposed a five-point plan to deliver a ‘green recovery’ (Wednesday 18 November).

There has never been a more important time to invest in the protection and restoration of the environment. The pandemic should serve as a reminder that our economy and the health of society are dependent on a flourishing natural world. 

 RSPB NI is proposing the following five-point plan:  

  1. Commitment to a green recovery from the Northern Ireland Executive
  2. New legislation to tackle the climate and nature crises
  3. Reform strategic government policy 
  4. Deliver a Green New Deal
  5. Invest in nature to support healthier communities

Delivering these steps can boost our short-term economic recovery (through job crea

tion), restore and maintain our natural environment both on land and at sea and help tackle climate change, whilst creating the longer-term conditions for greater prosperity and well-being in Northern Ireland.

The Five Point Plan: A Green Recovery for Northern Ireland can be read in full here

To further explore how a green recovery can lay the foundations for a more sustainable, resilient and prosperous Northern Ireland, join RSPB NI and guests at the forthcoming webinar on Friday 27 November at 12:30 pm. To watch live, click here

The proposed plan was announced following last night’s (Tuesday 17 November) unveiling of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. The Plan comprises of a total of £12bn of new and previously announced government investment in a raft of clean technologies and projects, from carbon capture and storage and hydrogen production, to electric vehicles, offshore wind and building energy efficiency.

The Plan is central to the government’s net zero agenda that aims to decarbonise the economy within the next three decades. Further green policies are expected within the coming weeks and before Christmas in terms of; Treasury Spending Review, an Energy White Paper and the National Infrastructure Strategy.

The policies, commitment and investment pledges outlined in the Plan, are as follows:

  1. Accelerating the offshore wind boom
  2. Catalysing the hydrogen economy
  3. A new wave of nuclear development
  4. Fast-tracking the EV transition
  5. Promoting greener modes of transport
  6. Launching zero emission ships and planes
  7. A major retrofit to homes and public buildings
  8. Ramping up carbon capture and storage technology
  9. Protecting nature
  10. Establishing London as a green finance hub

The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution: At a glance can be read in full here