Around the world, policymakers are reconciling the long-term need to tackle climate change with public backlash against policies that would ensure a path to Net Zero. In this review of ‘Society-Wide Conversations’, our partner INGSA explores how national debates over controversial issues of social change have come about, and their outcomes.
Every democracy at times has to make difficult decisions – making sacrifices or accepting restraints in the longer-term interest of the community. Sometimes these choices are thrown up by emergencies like wars and pandemics. Sometimes they are thrown up by slower moving crises, like reforming pensions or committing to multi-decade strategies on net zero.
Reaching net zero over the coming years will depend on retrofitting existing buildings, as 80% of the housing stock the UK will have in 2045 already exists.
Rural areas present a distinctive set of challenges, as well as opportunities, on the road to net zero.
