The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality, and the UK is feeling the heat. From record-breaking temperatures to devastating wildfires and hosepipe bans, the consequences are already being felt across the country. While the root cause of the crisis lies in the burning of fossil fuels, the UK government's response has been woefully inadequate, leaving lives and livelihoods at risk. It's time for bold and urgent action, and here are 10 policies that Andy Burnham's government should consider implementing immediately.
1. Reject Drilling Licenses for North Sea Oil and Gasfields
Personally, I think the UK should send a clear signal to the world that it is committed to a green and sustainable future, and rejecting drilling licenses for the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gasfields is a vital step in that direction. The supposed benefits of approving these fields are largely a fantasy, and the reality is that they will have no impact on UK energy prices, which are set by international markets. The UK Energy Research Council has made it clear that drilling for oil and gas will not provide energy resilience or affordability, and the focus should be on investing in renewable energy and storage instead.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the UK's commitment to net-zero emissions and its continued support for fossil fuel projects. By rejecting these licenses, the UK can demonstrate its leadership in the fight against climate change and send a powerful message to the international community. However, it's also important to recognize that this decision could have significant diplomatic implications, as the UK works to cut emissions and end the climate crisis.
2. Increase Windfall Tax on Fossil Fuel Giants
In my opinion, the UK should be doing more to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in driving the climate crisis. The eight biggest oil companies made a staggering $93 billion in profits in the three months to the end of June, almost double their profits from the same period last year. Meanwhile, carbon emissions from the oil and gas these companies produce are driving the escalating climate crisis, and bills for ordinary consumers continue to rise. An increased windfall tax on these excess profits could raise huge sums for government coffers and help pay for emergency adaptation measures.
One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between the profits of fossil fuel companies and the struggles of ordinary consumers. While these companies are raking in billions, the UK is facing a water crisis, with a predicted shortfall of 5 billion litres of water a day by 2055. An increased windfall tax could help address this crisis and other adaptation measures, while also sending a powerful message to these companies that they must pay their fair share.
3. Make Water Reuse Mandatory in New Buildings
The UK is facing a water crisis, and making water reuse mandatory in new buildings is a crucial step in addressing this issue. Grey water recycling or reuse captures water from sinks, showers, baths, and washing machines for use in homes, reducing the demand for drinking water. Rainwater capture is another way to make homes more water-efficient, and grey water is not safe to drink but can be reused for other activities, such as toilet flushing, reducing an individual's water consumption by 50%.
What many people don't realize is that the UK is already making progress in this area, with the Drinking Water Inspectorate moving towards removing legislative barriers to grey water systems. However, more needs to be done, and making water reuse mandatory in new buildings is a crucial step in ensuring the UK has a sustainable water supply for the future.
4. Bring the Water Industry Under National Control
The privatized water system in the UK has overseen record sewage pollution levels and failed to invest in and maintain vital public infrastructure. More than £85 billion has gone to shareholders, while the industry has failed to upgrade infrastructure to make it resilient to climate change. Bringing the water industry under national control could remove short-term profit motives and allow access to lower-cost public borrowing for massive capital investments.
If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the current system is not working. The water industry is unable to provide the service it is legally bound to, and the consequences are being felt across the country. A publicly controlled water industry could enforce a 25 to 50-year resilience strategy across regional catchments, rather than the fragmented corporate boundaries that exist now.
5. Invest in Proper Equipment for Firefighters
Firefighters in Britain are depleted in terms of the equipment needed to fight large, unpredictable wildfires. While other countries, such as Spain, use specialized amphibious planes and helicopters to scoop up water and dump it on wildfires, the UK does not own any dedicated water-bombing planes. Investing in proper equipment for firefighters is a crucial step in ensuring they have the tools they need to protect lives and property.
What this really suggests is that the UK needs to take a more proactive approach to wildfire management. By investing in specialized equipment, the UK can improve its response to wildfires and protect its citizens from the devastating consequences of climate change. However, it's also important to recognize that this investment could have broader implications, such as improving the UK's overall emergency response capabilities.
6. Implement Maximum Workplace Temperature
During June's heatwaves, temperatures in some workplaces became unbearable and dangerous. Teachers reported classrooms reaching well over 40C, while bus drivers spoke about the "horrendous" working conditions with temperatures in excess of 40C in their cabs. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) wants a maximum working temperature, and the Climate Change Committee has backed this demand. Implementing a maximum workplace temperature is a crucial step in ensuring workers' safety and well-being.
One detail that I find especially interesting is the contrast between the UK's commitment to net-zero emissions and its lack of action on workplace temperatures. While the UK is making progress in reducing emissions, it's clear that more needs to be done to protect workers from the dangers of heatwaves. By implementing a maximum workplace temperature, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to both climate action and workers' rights.
7. Launch a National Retrofit Programme
Homes in the UK are among the draftiest and least energy-efficient in Europe, leading to high bills and spiralling carbon emissions. A national retrofit programme could train and employ a workforce to make homes fit for the changing climate, starting with key public services like hospitals and care homes, then working through council and social housing, and finally moving on to privately owned homes. This programme could not only make the country's homes and public services more climate-resilient but also tackle the cost of living, create secure jobs, and stimulate growth.
If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the UK needs to take a more proactive approach to retrofitting homes. By launching a national programme, the UK can address the energy inefficiency of its housing stock and reduce carbon emissions. However, it's also important to recognize that this programme could have broader implications, such as improving the UK's overall energy security and reducing the cost of living for citizens.
8. Plant More Trees and Protect Existing Nature
Planting more trees and protecting existing nature is a crucial step in addressing the urban heat island effect and reducing carbon emissions. Neighbourhoods with more than 20% urban tree canopy have been found to experience a net cooling effect, and more than four in five homes and workplaces across 25 European cities have less nearby tree canopy than what is needed for meaningful cooling. Conserving existing trees is essential, as a newly planted tree will not shade a building for 15 or 20 years.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the benefits of planting trees and the challenges of doing so. While planting trees can create cooling in the future, the reality is that it takes time for a tree to mature and provide shade. Conserving existing trees is essential, as every mature tree lost now is irreplaceable on the timeline that matters for current heatwaves.
9. Encourage Regenerative Agriculture Approaches
Regenerative farming is an approach to farming that allows the land, soil, water, nutrients, and natural assets to regenerate themselves, as opposed to conventional approaches that can deplete these natural resources. This approach can help crops become more resilient to drought and dry weather, and it has been shown to increase yields. Encouraging regenerative agriculture approaches is a crucial step in increasing food resilience and ensuring the UK has a sustainable food supply for the future.
One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between the benefits of regenerative agriculture and the challenges of implementing it. While regenerative farming can help crops become more resilient to drought, the reality is that current agricultural policies are not driving widespread adoption of these approaches. Changing this would be an easy win to boost food security and ensure the UK has a sustainable food supply for the future.
10. Invest in Climate Shelters
As heatwaves intensify and become more dangerous for younger, older, and more vulnerable people, having free access to cool, well-ventilated spaces will become increasingly important. School halls, libraries, or leisure centres could be reassigned when extreme heat hits, and Barcelona has been a pioneer of these climate shelters, with more than 400 across the city. The UK needs to catch up and invest in climate shelters to protect its citizens from the dangers of heatwaves.
What this really suggests is that the UK needs to take a more proactive approach to heatwave management. By investing in climate shelters, the UK can improve its response to heatwaves and protect its citizens from the devastating consequences of climate change. However, it's also important to recognize that this investment could have broader implications, such as improving the UK's overall emergency response capabilities and reducing the impact of heatwaves on vulnerable communities.
