Thread by @BDavisBriz

Looking forward to an insightful discussion on the impact of today's #MiniBudget on government's the #Environment, #NetZero and wider #ClimateChange policies #GAEvent

https://twitter.com/GreenAllianceUK/status/1573267683256180736

Beginning looking at the economic outlook, @SamAlvis2 warns that the £ has dropped in response to today's mini budget, and that we can expect a recession to be "looming" #GAEvent

On #Energy, Alvis says that a lack of OBR forecasts means we are not sure how much this will cost, but we we can be certain that there will be significant borrowing to help fund these support schemes #GAEvent

Turning to the Plan for Growth, Alvis notes this is the 6th government growth plan in 12 years. On how this will benefit Net Zero, Alvis says it is still "unclear", but it may make it more difficult. Notes much of the tax cuts not necessarily aligned with green growth #GAEvent

Turning to Special Investment Zones, Alvis says that historically SIZs have "displaced growth rather than create new growth", however there is scope for SIZs to align with Net Zero ambitions such as Green Skill or turbocharging green R&I commitments #GAEvent

On infrastructure, Alvis says that while some investments - such as roads or North Sea oil - will not help the Net Zero agenda. However, investment in rail, active travel and onshore wind are to be welcome #GAEvent

Alvis concludes saying this was a "political budget", designed to create "dividing lines" between the Tories and Labour. However, notes that the benefits for the economy and the environment are yet to be seen #GAEvent

Alvis also notes that the Mini Budget appears to view Net Zero as something that will be achieved by economic growth, rather than Net Zero being a driver of growths. Hopes the Skidmore review will provide clarity on this agenda #GAEvent

Next @rozbulleid focuses on the energy relief schemes. Notes that both schemes will have different lengths of time and offer different levels of support for businesses and consumers. #GAEvent

While Bulleid welcomes the £3bn increase on the Eco Scheme, she says it is nowhere near enough, noting that 🇬🇧 would need to spend £10bn by the end of the decade to be on par with 🇩🇪's expenditure on energy efficiency #GAEvent

Bulleid welcomes the increased funding for renewables. Notes that the Energy Security Bill's progress has been postponed. Hypothesises that this is to realign the Bill with the ambitions of the Growth Plan #GAEvent

On opportunities, Bulleid suggests the Green Energy Pool, which offers cheaper renewable energy to consumers by decoupling it from gas, as a way of stimulating growth in the renewables sector #GAEvent

Bulleid also notes that investing in technologies that would help to decarbonise energy intensive industries that will themselves create solutions to cleaning the environment as a way of investing in green growth #GAEvent

Next @sarahw243 looks at the govt's commitment to "unpicking" 🇪🇺 laws from Govt statute books. Notes that Defra has the largest retained 🇪🇺 laws on its books and would need to "repeal one law a day" in order to meet the Dec 2023 deadline #GAEvent

Williams notes that much of the 🇪🇺 law deals with environmental issues such as food safety, animal welfare and water quality. She anticipates "heated debates", especially in House of Lords, even if laws are repealed & implemented on "yes/no" votes #GAEvent

Turning to the reaction in Brussels, Williams says that she anticipates that the EU may take action if the lowering of environmental standards directly impacts on the "level playing field" in the EU-UK trade deals #GAEvent

Next, @chrisjvenables repeats that today's event "was much more than a budget", with the largest tax cuts since the 1970s and both the PM & Chancellor's social media channels engaging in a co-ordinated campaign to pitch this as their ideological manifesto #GAEvent

Venables notes that this brings Govt back to the right of the party, with many backbench MPs saying they "feel like Conservatives again", with the party shifting back towards tax cuts and a smaller state #GAEvent

On what this may mean for the future, Venables calls the mini budget a "huge political gamble", especially on the back of the reaction to Rees-Mogg's statement on #fracking, which was met with opposition from Tory backbenchers #GAEvent

On the reaction of Opposition Parties, Venables notes that most voters focus on "big narratives rather than individual policies". Not only will this be about how better off people feel when polling day comes along #GAEVent

Turning to #NetZero, Venables says that it is a "mixed bag". While the overall policy remains in tact, this is largely due to the economic arguments - such as investment in onshore wind as a way to promote economic growth #GAEvent

However, Venables also notes that the massive deregulation announced should be concerning for environmentally-minded MPs and stakeholders #GAEvent

Venables gives the example of water quality, with Lib Dems tapping in to concerns over sewage discharges & framing it as lack of sufficient regulation to prevent environmental harm #GAEvent

Venables concludes saying that environmental stakeholders need to continue to make the positive environmental case for investment in renewables & insulation as a way of both driving economic growth and protecting the environment #GAEvent

Alvis also reminds delegates that Tories had originally moved to liberalise planning reforms, but following a Lib-Dem win at the #CheshamAndAmershamByElection led them to scrap the policy. Kwarteng appears to have reintroduced these policies today #GAEvent

The webinar moves on to a Q&A session #GAEvent

First on why UK Govt is hesitant to impose energy efficiency, unlike other govts. Bulleid says UK often "mis-sells" energy efficiency, focusing on payback periods. She says its also not a "sexy policy", lacking a cluster of jobs or "shiny new factories" to show benefits #GAEvent

However, Bulleid says the government could be more clever on focusing on the R&I benefits around energy efficiency, with new technologies and highly skilled jobs showing the wider economic benefits of energy efficiency #GAEvent

Venables also says stakeholders need to "take some of the blame", often focusing on why policies such as fracking would not work, rather than focusing on educating policymakers on the benefits of being more energy efficient for businesses & consumers #GAEvent

Next Q is on whether a snap election is looming. Venables repeats that this Mini Budget was a "pitch" for Trussanomics. Says party officials will be monitoring polls to see response to today's announcements & Truss' speech to see how these are landing with voters #GAEvent

Venables also notes that this is Truss fulfilling her leadership promise to host an emergency Budget "as our first act in government". While he notes that Truss has previously ruled out a snap election "it is now more likely than it was this morning" #GAEvent

On a Q on the significance of unblocking onshore wind, Bulleid notes it is one of the cheapest forms of renewables, so this is a "valuable" intervention from Govt. However, more needs to be done to fast-track renewables commitments to meet "bold renewable targets" #GAEvent

Alvis notes that this was a key part of Govts planning reform - shows that it is key to government's Net Zero targets, but it has also been informed by huge public support for onshore wind, which they recognise as lowering bills #GAEvent

When asked if there will still be an #EnergyBill, Bulleid believes that there will be, but it is being reviewed in the light of the Plan For Growth. Venables says "urgent" parts of the Energy Bill could be bought forward, but the wider bill is being reviewed #GAEvent

On Defra cuts, Williams notes that we are still unsure on the breadth of cuts, but notes that it could be "as high as 40%" #GAEvent

Turning to the impact of repeal of EU laws on environment, Williams says that it is not inherently a bad thing as we can always "do better" on environmental law. However, she is concerned the tight deadline will not allow for transparent, consultative decision-making #GAEvent

On a Q as to which policies are best for the environment & growth, Alvis says there are 2 main ways: 1stly, investment in infrastructure to ensure we have green assets. The other is by looking at sector-specific ways of improving productivity & delivering green jobs #GAEvent

Next Q is on the types of industries that will need to be supported to deliver green growth, Bulleid says that the Govt focuses on "those least likely to be able to reduce their own consumption" - notes this could include Care Homes as much as heavy industry #GAEvent

#GAEvent
Final Q is what makes them the most hopeful & most concerned in Mini Budget:
Venables: Hopeful about wind energy, concerned about deregulation
Bulleid: Hopeful on energy efficiency, concerned about health & environmental impact on repealing EU law esp on food safety

Williams: Hopeful on public support for continuing the Net Zero agenda, concerned about the impact of regulation
Alvis: Hopeful that SIZ could deliver on green growth, concerned about amount of money being spent on issues that are not a public priority
#GAEvent

Really interesting discussion on the potential impact of today’s #MiniBudget on the environment. Thanks to @rozbulleid @SamAlvis2 @sarahw243 & @chrisjvenables for your insights, to @ShaunSpiers1 & @sophieoconnell_ for chairing & @GreenAllianceUK for hosting! #GAEvent

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