'Business as usual' recovery from Covid-19 branded 'jumping into the climate crisis fire' by Edinburgh Greens

Councillor Gavin Corbett has challenged the council to prioritise the climate crisis during the city's recovery from Covid-19.

Green party politicians in Edinburgh have challenged the city council to prioritise the environment ahead of a return to ‘business as usual’ as the Capital continues its recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

In a report due to be released today and seen exclusively by the Evening News, Green councillors have highlighted 10 priorities for the city going forward including changing how Edinburgh operates in terms of transport, green spaces and tourism.

Easing the pressure on the greenbelt by bringing empty homes and holiday lets back into the main housing stock, boosting plans for active travel and space for cyclists and pedestrians and a stronger focus on home working and remote learning are all included as potential schemes to help create a ‘green recovery’.

Green councillor Gavin Corbett warned that if the city aimed to simply return to ‘business as usual’, it would be jumping into the “climate crisis fire”

He said his party’s ten-point plan and call for an “Edinburgh Green New Deal” would provide a ‘green recovery’ for jobs, quality of life and create a “sustainable Edinburgh”.

He said: "Coronavirus is the most immediate threat we all face, but the climate crisis remains the largest. Edinburgh has set an urgent target to be zero carbon by 2030 and action can't be put on the back burner.

“If that were to happen it would be simply jumping from the Coronavirus frying pan into the climate crisis fire.

"The good news is that cities across the world are committing to Green New Deals at the heart of how they deliver Recovery phase from Coronavirus.

“There are massive job and training opportunities from investment in low carbon neighbourhoods, transforming our transport systems, properly supporting remote working, local food production and many others.

“At the same time, outdoor learning in schools, wildlife in parks and green spaces and community action to improve local areas can all be given a major boost.

The report calls for the £1.33bn City Region Deal to be “recast” as a Green City Deal, as well as the reinvestment of the £8bn Lothian Pension Fund into renewable energy, £2.5bn to be invested into the council’s housing stock with the aim of being zero-carbon by 2030.

The report ends: “We are at a critical point in Edinburgh’s future. In the midst of a crisis we can choose to harness the energy and creativity of the city and the resources at our disposal to be in the vanguard of building out of crisis towards a successful zero carbon city which will be a magnet for investment and talent and a rich seam of jobs and training. Or we can watch as competitors do it instead. That’s no real choice.”

In response to the plan, the SNP’s and council leader Adam McVey, said: “We’ve started a wide-ranging approach to the recovery of the Capital and our communities and we welcome any and all contributions to that effort.

“It’s good to see some synergy in these plans with our own to make Edinburgh a million tree city, make walking and cycling easier and safer and bring holiday lets in residential properties back into residential use. We’re already committed to a hugely ambitious target to make Edinburgh a net carbon zero city and climate action is a priority in our recovery plans.”

Depute Leader of the council, Labour’s Cammy Day, said: “We’ve been clear from the start that Edinburgh’s response to this crisis should support our aims for the Capital to become net zero carbon by 2030. We can’t simply go back to how things were before the pandemic and that’s exactly why we’ve outlined a set of principles to guide the Council and the city’s recovery strategy.

“In line with Edinburgh’s City Vision – which is for a fair, thriving, welcoming and pioneering city - we’re looking at how we can embrace the opportunities in front of us as we adapt and rebuild after the crisis. This report from the Greens echoes our thinking and I’m pleased they agree that sustainability is key. We’re looking forward to working with all parties, city partners and citizens on these plans.”

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