The GND is a ten year, game – changing plan to stop climate change and build a world in which we can thrive.
We are at a decisive moment in our history. We’ve been following one way for decades, guided by rules written by people who do not have our interests at heart. But now we are rising up to win a world where we protect and build the things people really care about.
These changes will look different in different places, but will all move us towards these 5 goals:
1. decarbonise, fast
End our dependence on dirty fuels, and build an economy based on 100% clean energy
2. jobs and a just transition
Create millions of new well-paid, unionised, secure, and future-proof jobs for anyone who needs one, and guarantee a decent livelihood for anyone currently working in high emission sectors
3. transform the economy
Transform our economy so the financial system serves the needs of people and the planet, and so that our government is accountable to people, not corporations.
4. protect and restore
Protect and restore vital habitats and carbon sinks, including forests and wild areas, ensure nature friendly food production, and ensure the provision of clean water, air, green spaces and a healthy environment for all.
5. promote global justice
Do our part to help the rest of the world build fair, clean and healthy economies, accounting for the UK’s historic and ongoing role in exploiting communities and resources across the world.
we don’t have to put up with the way things are.
It’s not inevitable that the news gets worse every day.
We can do things differently.
When we win a Green New Deal, we’ll look back on the world today and think ‘why did we ever think that was normal?’.
Decent housing, well-paid and secure jobs, and an environment that doesn’t make us sick. These will be things that everyone can take for granted. Isn’t that worth fighting for?
We’re backing the Green New Deal bill as the first step to getting GND policies passed in Parliament. You can read more on the bill, and see which MPs have already backed it here:
Read on for an illustrative list of policy examples under each of the five pillars of the Green New Deal.
decarbonise, fast
Totally decarbonise the economy of the United Kingdom in a way that enhances the lives of ordinary people, workers and communities and works to eliminate social and economic inequality. This should include:
- A mass programme of home insulation and retrofitting heat pumps warming homes, lowering bills and reducing emissions.
- Public ownership of public services, including transport, water and energy suppliers, with a duty to ensure access and reduce consumption, so our utilities are run for public good, not profit.
- 100% renewable energy, from a mixture of community-owned renewables and larger suppliers
- Subsidised buses run for public benefit, so that public transport is always cheaper than driving.
These are just a few examples – there’s loads more!
jobs and a just transition
Create millions of new well-paid, secure, unionised jobs across the country guaranteeing healthy and fulfilling livelihoods for all workers, and communities including those in today’s high emissions sectors. That means:
- Millions of government-created good green jobs in green infrastructure and the care economy, with regional worker-led just transition strategies for shifting the economy from high-carbon sectors like fossil fuels, arms and industrial agriculture to renewables, nature-friendly farming, health and care.
- A Green Jobs Guarantee – good, green jobs for anyone who wants one.
- 4 Day week – to rebalance our work and leisure time, share out the work and help us to live happier, healthier lives.
These are just a few examples – there’s loads more!
transform the economy
Transform our economy so the financial system serves the needs of people and the planet, with an accountable and democratic government in the driving seat. Our economy must work in the interest of everyone – with greater democratic participation, accountability and common ownership – empowering those communities currently marginalised and respecting natural ecological limits.
- End ‘austerity’ once and for all – we need to invest in our public services and end the transfer of wealth from public to private sector
- Change Treasury rules to ensure all public investment is aligned with climate targets
- Work internationally to end the ‘race-to-the-bottom’ on corporate tax, workers rights, and environmental standards
These are just a few examples – there’s loads more!
protect and restore
Protect and restore vital habitats and carbon sinks, including forests and wild areas, and ensure the provision of clean water, air, green spaces and a healthy environment for all.
- Establish a National Nature Service, creating jobs in tree-planting, conservation and nature-based flood prevention.
- Support farmers to adopt nature-friendly farming methods through subsidies, training, public procurement policy and access to land, to protect our air, soil and water.
- Make polluters pay for the environmental harm they cause by enforcing legal liability with adequate damage payments and/or criminal convictions for the worst offenders.
- Stick to the fundamental principle of “public money for public goods”. Public money paid to farmers must provide essential public ‘goods’ or benefits — like wildlife, soil health, water and air quality, natural flood management and public access – that aren’t already rewarded by the market.
These are just a few examples – there’s loads more!
promote global justice
Promote global justice by supporting all peoples and countries to decarbonise quickly and fairly, in line with timeframes set out by science. The Green New Deal will ensure the UK does its fair share to tackle climate breakdown – and more – to account for historic emissions and the exploitation of resources and communities, particularly those in the Global South.
- The UK should reach zero carbon by 2030.
- End ALL UK financing of fossil fuel extraction overseas.
- Honor climate finance obligations to developing countries in full and on time
- In cooperation with other developed nations the UK must replenish the Green Climate Fund to ratchet up climate action to stay below 1.5 degree Celsius global temperature rise, and fulfill developed countries’ commitments.
These are just a few examples – there’s loads more!
