Overview
From low carbon transport to clean energy, and from efficient buildings to better land management for flood protection, having the right infrastructure in place will be vital to achieve the UK’s net zero emissions target and make the country rich in nature again.
However, not only is public investment still falling short of what is needed to scale up infrastructure for net zero, but the absence of a clear plan is also limiting private sector investment.
This programme of work sets out the UK’s infrastructure needs for a truly green industrial revolution.
Our green industrial revolution will be powered by the wind turbines of Scotland and the North East, propelled by the electric vehicles made in the Midlands and advanced by the latest technologies developed in Wales, so we can look ahead to a more prosperous, greener future.
Priorities for a green recovery
Infrastructure governs the way we live our lives, including how green we can be. For this project, we looked at the UK’s infrastructure needs to get the country on track for net zero and restore nature.
In our report, we argue that accelerating progress towards a green economy will support economic recovery from Covid-19 and help to create over a million jobs across the UK.
Amongst our recommendations we advocate a ‘net zero test’ for all infrastructure decisions and scaling up investment in key sectors, particularly the neglected areas of circular economy and natural infrastructure.
We are grateful to the Kenneth Miller Trust for supporting this work.
Read our report:
Future of UK infrastructure
Since 2013, we have written a number of reports and briefings on the future of UK infrastructure. This has included tracking and analysing iterations of the UK government’s infrastructure pipeline.
We also participated in a project led by the Institution of Civil Engineers, contributing to the ‘National Needs Assessment’, which feeds into the work of the National Infrastructure Commission.
Read our reports:
The UK's infrastructure pipeline
This 2016 briefing outlines the latest infrastructure pipeline and finds private sector divestment from high carbon assets is not being matched by investment in low carbon.
Briefing: is 2015 the turning point for low carbon investment in the UK?
This 2015 briefing closely analyses infrastructure investment in the energy and transport sectors, and finds a striking difference between how private and public investment in infrastructure is moving in relation to carbon.
Opening up infrastructure planning: the need for better public engagement
This 2015 report sets out three fundamental problems with the current state of infrastructure decision making and makes three proposals for how these can be best tackled.
The future of UK infrastructure
In collaboration with WWF-UK, Greenpeace and Christian Aid, this 2013 analysis finds the UK is ahead in the global trend to make new infrastructure low carbon, and sets out a new opportunity for the UK to modernise and improve its energy infrastructure.
Infrastructure investment and the UK's economic renewal
This 2013 policy insight assesses the combined economic impact of the 550 projects in the Treasury infrastructure pipeline. It estimates an increase in spending on low carbon infrastructure projects could increase GDP by at least 0.7 per cent by 2015. However, if the government abandoned its low carbon investment programme, the overall impact on GDP could be a reduction of as much as 2.2 per cent, and such a drop could push the UK back into recession.
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