Green Recovery Report: A Blueprint for a Green Future | Cambridge Zero Policy Forum

Green Recovery Report Cover

As we enter a new national lockdown, we need to take this time to think about the months and years ahead. This is a crucial moment for the UK and the world. We are dealing with a pandemic, but we must also take urgent action to prevent an even more destructive environmental future. How we choose to prioritise an economic and societal recovery will dramatically affect the outcomes of both for future generations.

The Cambridge Zero Policy Forum has brought together ideas from senior academics across the University of Cambridge to present a multidisciplinary perspective and series of recommendations for policymakers and industry in an ambitious new report: A Blueprint for a Green Future.

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Green Recovery Report Authors and Contributors

The Cambridge Zero Policy Forum is a collaboration between Cambridge Zero and the Centre for Science and Policy, bringing together over 80 senior academics from across the University of Cambridge to help tackle the policy challenges posed by the transition to a net-zero society. Learn more about the authors and contributors to this Green Recovery report below.

Editors

Dr Emily Shuckburgh OBE is Director of Cambridge Zero and a Reader in Environmental Data Science at the Department of Computer Science and Technology. She leads the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training on the Application of AI to the study of Environmental Risks. Until April 2019, she led a UK national research programme on the Southern Ocean and its role in climate (ORCHESTRA), and was head of the Data Science Group at British Antarctic Survey.

Dr Emily Shuckburgh

Editor

Director of Cambridge Zero at the University of Cambridge

Alasdair played an important role in producing this report as Editorial Assistant. Alasdair's expertise lies in sustainable development and international environmental governance. His work focuses on the political economy of environmental interventions, especially within the context of East Africa. His current research looks at the politics of afforestation targets and carbon forestry in Kenya.

Alasdair Neilson

Editorial Assistant

ESRC PhD Candidate, Department of Geography | Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge

Introduction

As well as advising on comprehensive wealth measures, Dimitri is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute, LSE. He headed the Stern Review Team at the Office of Climate Change and was a lead author on the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change. Previously he was Head of Economic Forecasting at HM Treasury.

Dimitri Zenghelis

Author

Senior Advisor, Wealth Economy Project, Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge

Dr Emily Shuckburgh OBE is Director of Cambridge Zero and a Reader in Environmental Data Science at the Department of Computer Science and Technology. She leads the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training on the Application of AI to the study of Environmental Risks. Until April 2019, she led a UK national research programme on the Southern Ocean and its role in climate (ORCHESTRA), and was head of the Data Science Group at British Antarctic Survey.

Dr Emily Shuckburgh

Author

Director of Cambridge Zero at the University of Cambridge

Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE became Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 2012. She came to the college after a long career in the voluntary sector, latterly as Director-General of the National Trust from 2001-2012. During her time as DG she made the Trust warmer and more welcoming, bringing the houses to life and raising the profile of the Trust’s work in the countryside.

Dame Fiona Reynolds

Contributor

Honorary Fellow British Academy (Geography) and Master, Emmanuel College

Economy

Chapter One: Creating the conditions and incentives for a green recovery

Matthew’s research expertise lies in sustainable development, economic measurement, and environmental economics. His portfolio at Cambridge covers green finance and climate risk, the drivers of wellbeing across the UK, measuring Inclusive Wealth, and addressing the UK’s productivity puzzle. He regularly works with policy-makers at all scales, from local government to the United Nations.

Dr Matthew Agarwala

Author

Economist, Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Prof. Diaz Anadon’s research spans economics, engineering, and public policy to better understand how to advance technological innovation in climate mitigation technologies with a focus on energy. Her work on innovation identifies the impacts from different types of policies to promote it; maps the complex factors that contribute to it; and develops tools for policymakers to manage its systemic uncertainties.

Professor Laura Diaz Anadon

Author

Chaired Professor of Climate Change Policy & Director of the Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG), University of Cambridge

Jennifer Howard-Grenville is an expert in qualitative research and organisational theory, and studies how people and organisations generate and navigate change related to sustainability. Jennifer has taught extensively on management and sustainability topics to MBA, Executive MBA, doctorate, undergraduate, and executive audiences. She serves as Deputy Editor at Academy of Management Journal and is a Fellow of Trinity Hall College, Cambridge.

Professor Jennifer Howard-Grenville

Author

Diageo Professor of Organisational Studies, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

Cristina Peñasco is a University Lecturer in Public Policy at POLIS and the Programme Director of the MPhil in Public Policy. Her research lines bring together multidisciplinary research in environmental economics, innovation policy, and energy economics in green and energy efficiency technologies, with a focus on the policy instruments enabling the transition to low-carbon economies. She is currently participating in several European and UK-funded projects on policy pathways for decarbonisation.

Dr Cristina Peñasco

Author

Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) & Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Dr Nina Seega is a Research Director for Sustainable Finance at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). She is an expert in the use of risk management tools to address environmental sources of risk in the financial sector. In 2016 and 2017, she co-led the CISL team serving as Knowledge Partner for the risk analysis track of the G20 Green Finance Study Group.

Dr Nina Seega

Author

Research Strategy Director, Centre for Sustainable Finance, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Eliot leads a team convening business and policy makers to bring about a more sustainable economy. He is the Director of CISL’s Corporate Leaders Groups, which bring together businesses to work towards a step change in policy and action on climate change. He is on two UK government panels related to the green recovery – the BEIS Economic Recovery Taskforce on Net Zero and HMT’s Net Zero Tech and Innovation Advisory Group.

Eliot Whittington

Author

Director, Corporate Leaders Groups, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Just Transition

Chapter Two: Supporting society in the zero-carbon transformation

Anna’s research concerns the causes, consequences, and responses to inequality. She is currently researching (1) what happens to work during a transition to a lower-carbon circular economy; and (2) how climate change intersects with young people’s livelihoods in Uganda.

Dr Anna Barford

Author

Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellow, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

My specialty training in medicine is Public Health, with ageing and brain health being my key focus. This latter research has provided findings that highlight the importance of health across the lifecourse and context. My experience in public health (service and training) more generally has provided insight into that context.

Professor Carol Brayne

Author

Professor of Public Health Medicine, Cambridge Public Health Interdisciplinary Centre, University of Cambridge

Dr Emily Shuckburgh OBE is Director of Cambridge Zero and a Reader in Environmental Data Science at the Department of Computer Science and Technology. She leads the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training on the Application of AI to the study of Environmental Risks. Until April 2019, she led a UK national research programme on the Southern Ocean and its role in climate (ORCHESTRA), and was head of the Data Science Group at British Antarctic Survey.

Dr Emily Shuckburgh

Author

Director of Cambridge Zero at the University of Cambridge

University Lecturer of Sustainability in the Built Environment, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Dr Ronita Bardhan

Contributor

University Lecturer of Sustainability in the Built Environment, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Claire Barlow specialises in sustainability and materials engineering focusing on end-of-life materials, looking at how to assess the environmental impact of materials usage, and how to improve recycling and re-use, especially of plastics. She is also involved more generally in research on technical and organisational aspects of sustainability in the manufacturing industry.

Dr Claire Y Barlow

Contributor

Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Materials Technology, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

Director of Research in Industrial Sustainability

Professor Steve Evans

Contributor

Director of Research in Industrial Sustainability

Programme Director, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Eithne George

Contributor

Programme Director, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

David's research focuses on national climate change policies, deployment pathways to deep decarbonisation, and the social and political acceptability of low-carbon technologies with a particular focus on carbon dioxide removal options and net-zero targets.

Dr David Reiner

Contributor

Senior Lecturer in Technology Policy, Energy Policy Research Group, Judge Business School

Dr James Smith

Contributor

Sustainability theme co-lead Cambridge Public Health, School of Clinical Medicine

Technology

Chapter Three: Investing in zero-carbon technology and a zero-carbon industrial transition

Henning's research interests lie in the physics of charge transport of novel energy materials with a focus on thermal energy harvesting.

Professor Henning Sirringhaus

Author

Royal Society Research Professor & Hitachi Professor of Electron Device Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge

Richard's research encompasses the physics, materials science and engineering of semiconductor devices made with carbon-based semiconductors, particularly polymers. His research group has shown that carbon-based semiconductors have significant applications in LEDs, solar cells, lasers, and electronics. Current research interests are directed to novel schemes to improve the performance and cost of solar cells.

Professor Sir Richard Friend

Author

Director Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability, Department of Physics

Shaun has experience in both academic research and commercial application of technology in the built environment. He founded and led Breathing Buildings, a University of Cambridge spin-out using new concepts for ventilation in buildings. Shaun has supported government in the revision of ventilation guidelines for education buildings, acoustics, and is also supporting CIBSE with various industry guides.

Dr Shaun Fitzgerald FREng

Author

Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Sustainable Buildings, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

David Cebon specializes in energy consumption and carbon emissions from road freight vehicles.

Professor David Cebon

Author

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering

Daniel is interested in a variety of topics related to sustainable transport, with expertise in vehicle dynamics, fuel consumption and emissions modelling, vehicle telematics acquisition and analysis, signal processing and data analysis, and mechanical (road roughness and environmental distribution) and ground vibrations.

Dr Daniel Ainalis

Author

Research Manager, Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, Department of Engineering

Claire Barlow specialises in sustainability and materials engineering focusing on end-of-life materials, looking at how to assess the environmental impact of materials usage, and how to improve recycling and re-use, especially of plastics. She is also involved more generally in research on technical and organisational aspects of sustainability in the manufacturing industry.

Dr Claire Y Barlow

Author

Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Materials Technology, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

With a background in physical climate science, Erik Mackie’s interests lie in climate risk assessment and the communication of climate science and zero-carbon solutions.

Dr Erik Mackie

Author

Engagement Manager, Cambridge Zero

Peter Guthrie is a Director of Research in the Engineering Department at the University of Cambridge. Until 2016, he was Professor of Engineering for Sustainable Development, and was Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development in the Engineering Department since 2000. His research focuses on the integration of sustainable development and resilience into decision-making in large infrastructure projects, environmental restoration projects, and energy efficiency in buildings.

Professor Peter Guthrie

Contributor

Professor of Engineering for Sustainable Development, University of Cambridge

Reader in Engineering Dynamics and Vibration, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge.

Dr Hugh Hunt

Contributor

Reader in Engineering Dynamics and Vibration, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

Chair in Aerothermal Technology and Whittle Lab Director, University of Cambridge.

Professor Rob Miller

Contributor

Chair in Aerothermal Technology and Whittle Lab Director, University of Cambridge

Advisor to the Chief Financial Officer (Responsible Investment) & Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge

Dr Ellen Quigley

Contributor

Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge

Infrastructure

Chapter Four: Investing in resilient and sustainable infrastructure

Jennifer is Director of the Cambridge Center for Smart Infrastructure and Construction, which focuses on how we use data and sensing to learn from the real performance of assets, enabling us to extend the life of existing infrastructure and to design more carbon-efficient new assets.

Dr Jennifer Schooling OBE

Author

Director, Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction, Department of Engineering

Peter Guthrie is a Director of Research in the Engineering Department at the University of Cambridge. Until 2016, he was Professor of Engineering for Sustainable Development, and was Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development in the Engineering Department since 2000. His research focuses on the integration of sustainable development and resilience into decision-making in large infrastructure projects, environmental restoration projects, and energy efficiency in buildings.

Professor Peter Guthrie

Author

Professor of Engineering for Sustainable Development, University of Cambridge

Michael Ramage leads the Centre for Natural Material Innovation at Cambridge University. Trained as an architect and an engineer, he is a Reader in Architecture and Engineering in the Department of Architecture and a founding partner of Light Earth Designs. His current research is focused on developing low-energy structural materials and systems in masonry, better housing in the developing world and improved engineered timber and bamboo through natural material innovation.

Dr Michael H Ramage

Author

Reader in Architecture and Engineering, Centre for Natural Material Innovation, University of Cambridge

Judith’s research has focused on the optimisation of planning and developing large infrastructure projects, including the economic, social, environmental and institutional effects of delays in project development. She is currently working on the FutureDAMS research project which will explore how global capital flows can influence the emergence of more sustainable hydropower infrastructure.

Dr Judith Plummer Braeckman

Author

Associate Lecturer/Senior Researcher, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

David's research focuses on national climate change policies, deployment pathways to deep decarbonisation, and the social and political acceptability of low-carbon technologies with a particular focus on carbon dioxide removal options and net-zero targets.

Dr David Reiner

Author

Senior Lecturer in Technology Policy, Energy Policy Research Group, Judge Business School

Research Associate, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Dr Aurimas Bukauskas

Contributor

Research Associate, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Research Associate, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge.

Dr Antiopi Koronaki

Contributor

Research Associate, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

CSIC Programme Manager, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge.

Ms Dee Dee Frawley

Contributor

CSIC Programme Manager, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

Nature

Chapter Five: Investing in nature-based solutions and supporting agriculture and rural affairs

Cordula has been engaged in research, decision-support and capacity-building on nature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation for more than 10 years. She is particularly interested in ways to design nature-based solutions such that they deliver a variety of benefits, including synergies between maintaining and enhancing ecosystem carbon stocks and biodiversity on the one hand, and protecting people from climate change impacts on the other.

Cordula Epple

Author

Senior Programme Officer – Climate Change and Biodiversity, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre

Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE became Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 2012. She came to the college after a long career in the voluntary sector, latterly as Director-General of the National Trust from 2001-2012. During her time as DG she made the Trust warmer and more welcoming, bringing the houses to life and raising the profile of the Trust’s work in the countryside.

Dame Fiona Reynolds

Author

Honorary Fellow British Academy (Geography) and Master, Emmanuel College

David's interests lie in nature-based solutions to the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises. As director of an interdisciplinary research institute, I manage teams that are working on nature-based solutions from natural science, social science and economic perspectives.

David Coomes

Author

Director of the University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute

As a Physiological Ecologist, Griffiths investigates the functional attributes of natural vegetation and crops from a molecular and environmental perspective, to define limitations in plant distribution and productivity. He leads the University of Cambridge Global Food Security Interdisciplinary Research Centre and has developed major international partnerships to investigate resilience in cropping systems, with a focus on health, nutrition and equal opportunities in India and Africa.

Howard Griffiths

Author

Professor of Plant Ecology, Co-Chair Global Food Security IRC, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge

Professor James Wood

Contributor

Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge

Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, University of Cambridge

Dr Rob Field

Contributor

Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, University of Cambridge

Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

Dr Lynn Dicks

Contributor

Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

Dr Chris Sandbrook

Contributor

Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge

International

Chapter Six: Global leadership opportunities for the UK

Professor Cordonier Segger, DPhil (Oxon), MEM (Yale), BCL and LLB (McGill), is Senior Director of the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge, Full Professor at the University of Waterloo, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC CoP26 Climate Law & Governance Initiative, and an award-winning expert jurist and professor of law and governance on sustainable development.

Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger

Author

Senior Director, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)

Mr Phillips, BSc honors (E. Michigan), MA (Seton Hall), LLB (Dalhousie), and LLM (Ottawa) is a PhD Candidate at the University of Cambridge, Operations Director and a Legal Research Fellow with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), a Fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), and a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.

Mr Freedom-Kai Phillips

Author

Operations Director and a Legal Research Fellow, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)

David's research focuses on national climate change policies, deployment pathways to deep decarbonisation, and the social and political acceptability of low-carbon technologies with a particular focus on carbon dioxide removal options and net-zero targets.

Dr David Reiner

Author

Senior Lecturer in Technology Policy, Energy Policy Research Group, Judge Business School

Mike Rands is a conservation biologist and was the first Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the internationally focused cluster of conservation organisations based around Cambridge. Mike is interested in interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to conserving the natural world and developing innovative solutions to global challenges, especially environmental sustainability.

M. R. W. Rands

Author

Master, Darwin College

President, Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge.

Dame Barbara Stocking

Contributor

President, Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge

Professor, University of Cambridge, Lead Counsel for Sustainable Trade, Investment, Financial Law, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL).

Dr Markus Gehring

Contributor

Lead Counsel for Sustainable Trade, Investment, Financial Law, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)

Research Director & Lead Counsel for Peace Justice and Governance, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)

Dr Alexandra Harrington

Contributor

Research Director & Lead Counsel for Peace Justice and Governance, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)

PhD researcher and research assistant, Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship, University of Cambridge

Ms Chantalle Byron

Contributor

PhD researcher and research assistant, Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship, University of Cambridge

Acknowledgements

Special thanks go to...

Catherine Arnold

Master, St Edmund's College, Cambridge

Stephen Davison

Deputy Director, Cambridge Zero

Dr Hildegard Diemberger

Affiliated Lecturer, Fellow and College Lecturer, Pembroke College, Department of Social Anthropology

Professor Dame Athene Donald

Master, Churchill College Cambridge

Dr Rob Doubleday

Executive Director, Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge

Dr Alex Freeman

Executive Director, Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication

Jennifer Hayes

Head of Digital Programmes, Communications and Publications, Cambridge Zero

Natalie Jones

Research Associate, CSER

Tony Juniper

Chair, Natural England

Professor Srinivasan Keshav

Robert Sansom Professor of Computer Science, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge

Professor Sir David King

Director, Cambridge Kaspakas Limited

Professor Markus Kraft

Professor of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge

Professor Ian Leslie

Director, Information Services (UIS), University of Cambridge

Dr Mike Maunder

Executive Director, Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI)

Lauren Milden

Policy Advisor, Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge

Dr Kamiar Mohaddes

University Senior Lecturer, Cambridge Judge Business School

Professor David Newbery

Emeritus Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge

Professor Susan E Owens OBE

Emeritus Professor of Environment and Policy and Fellow Emerita of Newnham College

Professor John Pyle

Head of Department, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge

Lord Rees

Astronomer Royal, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge

Dr Clarissa Rios

Research Associate, CSER

Professor Ken Smith

Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge

Dr Ellie Standen

Senior Research Associate, Centre for Climate Repair

Amy Trevethan

Public Affairs Manager (National Politics), University of Cambridge

Andrew Venter

Director, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Eric Wolff is a Royal Society Research Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Cambridge University. He is a Fellow of Darwin College and an Honorary Fellow at the British Antarctic Survey. After graduating as a chemist, he has studied ice cores from the Antarctic and Greenland for the past 30 years, using them to understand changing climate, as well as changing levels of pollution in remote areas.

Professor Eric Wolff

Royal Society Research Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge