The Government's new Clean Growth Strategy contains many admirable proposals, but also has some major omissions, including on agriculture, finds Sustain member Friends of the Earth.
'Clean growth is not an option, but a duty we owe to the next generation,' says Prime Minister Theresa May, launching the Government's new Clean Growth Strategy. It is also, the strategy argues, a huge economic opportunity, with the potential to create jobs and prosperity as we reduce the negative impacts of our activities.
Multiple recommendations include plans for 'world-leading green finance capabilities', as well as measures to help homes and businesses improve their energy efficiency, increase the supply of affordable clean energy, establish new forests, work towards zero avoidable waste, and more. Read the strategy in full here.
Sustain member Friends of the Earth (FOE) has compiled a point-by-point response based on a first reading of the Strategy and the slew of accompanying documents. It finds much to welcome -- but also raises some challenges. For example, FOE finds no acknowledgment in the strategy that we are currently failing to meet voluntary targets set for reducing agricultural emissions, including the urgent need to tackle livestock emissions, which are a hotspot. There is no mention of the need to change our diets – yet this will be critical in order to meet global emissions reductions targets. And there is no mention of the need to ensure that action to cut GHG emissions must not result in our impacts being exported. Read FOE's response here.
The Sustain alliance campaigns for greener, healthier and fairer food systems for everyone. Find out more about our activities and support us here.
Published Friday 13 October 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
