Reducing atmospheric carbon is a programme of work like many others - just bigger!
Politics is not renowned for ‘getting things done’, even in a COVID emergency, there are so many failures in leadership and implementation of policy. But dealing with COVID is a programme of work that is planned and delivered - with urgency. Likewise reducing atmospheric carbon is a programme of work that has to be delivered with urgency, only one that will be much longer and harder.
The programme first needs to be broken down into workstreams, with a leadership team associated with each one and an over-arching programme management approach to oversee and co-ordinate the various workstreams. Primary objectives are set (simple: reduce emissions), with a start and end-date, and a series of specific projects that have to be delivered to meet the overall workstream objectives. Think of it as a WHO, WHAT, HOW, WHEN AND HOW MUCH list. Each workstream will have dependencies for example agricultural change will be dependant on lifestyle changes (less meat and dairy consumption) and economic incentives for farmers to change practice. These must also be charted and managed. Then there needs to be a communications plan with explicit messaging about the emergency taking place and what is being done to deal with it. Everyone of us needs to be invested in the success of the programme - just as we are with COVID. Finally there needs to be strong, focussed leadership demonstrating passion for achieving the objectives and a demonstration of absolute commitment to the successful outcome of the programme.
Here is my initial list of workstreams that need organising immediately – they can be added to or taken away as the programme develops.
Re-forestation, sustainable forestry, peatland restoration, use of biochar to capture carbon, improved agricultural practice, growth of biocrops, transition away from animal farming, land use emissions research and analysis, land use economics, land use policy, training, communications.
Industry heating, industry power, use of hydrogen in industry, industry efficiencies and best practice, carbon capture, carbon transmission and storage, industrial clusters, research, economics, policy, training, communications.
Renewable energy, solar, wind, bioenergy, tidal, geothermal, hydro, power distribution, power storage, renewable hydrogen production, research, economics, policy, training, communications.
Building regulations, building heating, insulation, retrofit programme, research, economics, policy, training, communications.
Transport modal change, sustainable aviation fuels, sustainable shipping fuels, sustainable train traction, sustainable large road vehicle traction, electric cars, hydrogen fuel cells, transport power distribution, research, economics, policy, training, communications.
Population lifestyle changes, more recycling, consumption of less carbon intensive products, changed eating practices, changed travel practices, mass communications, media briefings.
This is not rocket science, it just needs practical implementers who believe in the mission to reduce atmospheric carbon as soon as possible. I would love to hear about your list and what you would add or take away from this one!