Policy area: Environment

Reports

The nature of our economy

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance provides actionable proposals across three areas: the macroeconomy, microeconomy and political reform. The Dasgupta Review, commissioned by the UK Treasury and published in 2021, exposed the fundamental flaw in mainstream economics: that it fails to account for the true value of nature. As a result, we continue...

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Jumping the gun: racing to 2030 before the field is set

This report from UK think tank Onward examines the implications of racing towards clean energy by 2030, assessed through planning reform and public support. The expansion of clean energy generation is critical for securing Britain’s energy future, but a practical and achievable pathway is needed to deliver a decarbonised grid. Labour’s plan to reach clean...

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Aligning debt relief for climate and nature with principles of effective development cooperation

This report from UK think tank IIED outlines a number of action points to improve the effectiveness of debt swaps. In recent years, mounting external public debt has placed significant constraints on low-income country government budgets, particularly for those countries on the frontlines of combatting climate change and biodiversity loss. Debt for climate and nature...

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Plugging into industrial electrification

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance questions why electrification is not receiving much more attention and support as a way to cut industry’s climate impact. The government supports heavy industries to switch to hydrogen or carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies as a way to decarbonise their processes. While they might be the...

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How to build and fund a better EU green industrial policy

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform outlines how the EU can revamp its green industrial policy while managing unavoidable trade-offs. A new study by the Centre for European Reform (CER), ‘How to build and fund a better EU green industrial policy’, shows that Europe’s clean tech industry is a bright...

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Next stop, better rail

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance looks at putting UK rail travel on track as a driver of sustainable growth across the UK. Improving the UK’s rail network will boost regional growth in the areas that need it most, improve travel options and cut greenhouse gas emissions. As the government creates Great British...

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Farming at a crossroads

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance looks at how farmers are navigating the agricultural transition. England is over halfway through the transition from EU farm subsidies to new schemes focused on sustainable farming and public goods. While participation in the new schemes is rapidly growing, there are concerns that these schemes lack opportunities...

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Environmental governance in the UK

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance looks at the state of UK environmental law five years after Brexit. This report is the first in a series of stocktakes from Green Alliance’s Legislation and Governance Unit on the state of UK environmental law five years after Brexit. In it, we focus on the new...

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Mind the gap

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance explores cutting the UK's transport climate impact. Transport, including road, aviation and shipping, is responsible for around a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. While big steps have been taken — like the planned 2030 phase out of new petrol and diesel cars — policy is...

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Making the connection

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance examines the barriers to device redistribution through insights from over 25 organisations in the field. Millions of people in the UK face digital exclusion, lacking access to devices and internet connectivity essential for daily life. At the same time, the country is grappling with a growing e-waste...

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An agenda for UK–China climate cooperation

This report from UK think tank Chatham House argues that climate cooperation can and should be pursued between the UK and Chinese governments. This paper presents the case for increased UK–China climate cooperation, and identifies specific aspects of policy on which future joint work can usefully focus. Such work could offer a valuable counterpoint to...

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People first: selling nature to Labour

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance argues why restoring nature must be a priority for the government. In this straight talking essay, Adam Dyster, former adviser to the Labour Party and the National Trust, draws on a wealth of experience to argue why restoring nature must be a priority for the government, not...

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Navigating clean energy industries and rivalry in decarbonisation

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at navigating clean energy industries and rivalry in decarbonisation. In this research paper, Dan Marks and James Henderson address a series of questions, including how to ensure the security of production networks while simultaneously decarbonising rapidly and affordably, promoting innovation and maximising local economic benefits. They argue...

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State capacity, mining and community relations in Peru

This report from UK think tank Chatham House looks at how meaningful and inclusive dialogue can help secure the country's role in global supply chains. With its rich reserves of copper, Peru is poised to play a key role in global supply chains for projects to reduce carbon emissions and enable the transition to a...

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The great grid gamble

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Policy Studies states that politicians need to be guided by the best available evidence when considering the future of Britain's energy system. Ed Miliband hailed a recent report from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) as vindicating his plan to decarbonise the grid by 2030. But...

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Related Articles

How can cities policy help the net zero agenda?

As COP26 comes to a close what are some of the changes we can make in cities that can help with the net zero agenda? A greater uptake of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is required By Rebecca Foster (Bright Blue) The UK’s pledge to reach net zero by 2050 will ultimately require significant changes to the way...

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