The UK government has committed to securing a ‘green recovery’ from COVID-19. But the package of policies it has announced so far has been modest compared with other countries, and some have been poorly designed and implemented. This report assesses the government’s approach so far and offers recommendations on how to build a green recovery.

There are important decisions ahead. The government is due to publish a net-zero plan before hosting COP26 in November, the Chancellor has a budget to deliver in the autumn and the Treasury is due to run a spending review. This paper – which draws on a roundtable organised in partnership with the City of London Corporation attended by civil servants, climate and energy experts, and finance professionals – offers reflections on how the UK can build a successful green recovery. It recommends that:

• The Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) should take responsibility for securing a green recovery.
• The Treasury and other departments should assess where there is the strongest case for targeting further measures.
• The government should improve the design of green recovery policies, learning from the failure of the Green Homes Grant.
• The government should develop a green skills plan.
• The government should involve local authorities more actively in the design and delivery of green recovery policies.
• The government should ensure the new UK Infrastructure Bank supports the green recovery and assess how to further support private investment.