The Environmental Industries Commission has published its report from its flagship event about ‘The One Crisis’, a term coined from the United Nations (UN), that refers to the three main interlinked issues that humanity currently faces: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Industry leaders, environmental supply chain experts, and infrastructure and built environment professionals gathered last month to join forces and lead the way in tackling the ‘triple planetary crisis as one’. To cover as many aspects as possible attendees looked at the One Crisis in general and deep dived into the circular economy and places for people themes. The report highlights observations from each of the sessions along with calls to action for the infrastructure industry and the Government.
The top four points for Industry include:
- The three crises can be treated as one by bringing the best minds together to strive for positive outcomes beyond mitigation. Cross industry collaboration, breaking down siloes, is essential.
- Better communications and sharing of best practice case studies backed by data-based evidence are crucial.
- An end to ‘greenhushing’* to give clients and project teams a safe space to discuss solutions to the One Crisis is vital.
- Better promotion of and support for sustainability/green jobs in the sector is needed now.
The top nine calls to action for Government include:
- The Departments for Energy Security and Net Zero and Environment Farming and Rural Affairs must take a ‘One Crisis’ approach to climate and nature. Plans for nature and delivering net zero must be aligned. Government should ensure that planning and infrastructure decisions address nature, climate and health together, to ensure efficient delivery. Circular economy, chemical, air quality, water and soil strategies need to be proportionate and align with international best practice.
- The ‘green thread’ of one crisis should be embedded throughout Government policy and industry’s approach to projects.
- A review of the economics of climate change adaptation including nature-based solutions is needed.
- Embed a value-based approach to procurement, going beyond economics to long term value to planet and people.
- The Treasury should consider the growth opportunities of a circular economy when making policy.
- An industry skills action plan for net zero and nature recovery from the Department for Business and Trade.
- A refreshed infrastructure strategy alongside a long-term funding settlement.
- A brownfield first approach.
- Review National Policy Statements (NPS) with clear criteria for triggering reviews of other NPSs that may impact the One Crisis approach.
Kate Jennings, CEO of the Environmental Industries Commission and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering said:
“It is abundantly clear that we need to propel action and collaborate across industry, and work in partnership with Government. True progress can only be realised through a holistic and integrated plan with nature at the centre. Our members are poised ready to develop and be part of the approach needed to address this crisis we face.”
