IEMA focus on skills, adaptation and nature-based solutions in CCC report

The Institute for Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) has welcomed the Climate Change Committee's (CCC) latest report that sets out ten priorities for the new Government to get the UK “back on track” to net zero.

The CCC’s assessment is that only a third of the emissions reductions required to achieve the country’s 2030 target are currently covered by credible plans. Despite this, the UK’s emissions are now less than half the levels they were in 1990, largely due to the phase out of coal and the ramping up of renewables.

IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee focused on three of the ten priority areas in her response to the report: (1) the need for a net zero skills strategy, (2) climate adaptation, and (3) nature-based solutions.

(1) Net Zero skills strategy

The CCC has recommended that Government publish a strategy to support skills, including support for workers in sectors which need to grow or transition and in communities that may be adversely impacted.

IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee said: “The evidence base to underpin a plan focused on net zero and environmental jobs and skills already exists, developed over two years with a cross-sector group of employers, skills bodies like IEMA, unions and academia.

"We urge the new government, in the interests of acting with speed and efficiency, to work with the organisations that have identified the skills gaps to implement solutions.

“Tracking the rate of increase in trained heat pump installers is currently used as proxy for the rate of increase in green jobs and skills but it is no replacement for a wider strategy and action plan.

“IEMA also strongly supports the establishment of a cross-government body, like a Green Jobs Council, that can take the lead and deliver the strategy and action plan to rapidly grow the green skills and jobs that are needed across the economy tied to our long-term climate and environmental goals.

“And while the primary focus of the CCC is achieving net zero, the twin global crises of climate change and nature need to be tackled together.

“We require a workforce with a wide range of green skills to ensure pollution is prevented from being dumped in our rivers and seas, that our electricity system is decarbonised at pace, that businesses have the skills to adapt to a changing climate that will impact infrastructure and supply chains, and that developers building new homes and infrastructure leave our natural environment in a better state than they found it.”

(2) Climate Adaptation

The CCC recommend that climate change adaptation must become a fundamental aspect of policymaking across all departments and be integrated into other national policy objectives. Including strengthening the 3rd National Adaptation Programme with a vision that sets clear objectives and targets.

IEMA agreed with calls to strengthen adaptation planning by integrating adaptation into general policy-making processes.

Ms Mukherjee said: "Within the UK, our members need more support with scenario planning that is relevant to the regions in which they operate. This is essential to support their business cases for long-term investment projects.”

This comes as IEMA plans to publish a report in the coming weeks on the skills needed for adaptation planning.

(3) Nature-based solutions

The CCC has called on Government to ramp up tree planting and peatland restoration. Recommending that tree planting must be scaled up in the 2020s for abatement to be sufficient for later carbon budgets and Net Zero.

Ms Mukherjee continued: "The CCC recognises that nature and carbon are intrinsically linked. Nature has a critical role in absorbing and storing carbon, but as habitats degrade they emit greenhouse gases.

"The International Union for Conservation of Nature calculates that nature-based solutions have the potential to lock-in around 30% of the greenhouse gases that are needed to tackle climate change.

“It is critical that nature-based solutions are deployed to maximum effect to reduce carbon emissions and minimise the effects of climate change.”