In this video, civil society group GNDE lay down what a GND must achieve in order to deserve its name, unlike the Green New Deal proposed by the European Union which falls short of what is needed. For more details of their vision visit their campaign.

https://gnde.diem25.org/our-vision/

The Green Recovery Act 2020 is a comprehensive plan to transform and repair the UK’s economy, and environment in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, and secure 100% renewable energy. As the character Dan experienced in our animation, this means a strong focus on a ‘Just Transition’. It makes a clear case that in order to secure racial, economic and climate justice, we cannot simply reinflate the old economy as the pandemic fades. Instead, we must reimagine our foundational economic and political institutions, and seize the moment to build a new economic model – one that is democratic, equitable, and sustainable by design.

In our animation, Jane experienced first-hand how her care work was undervalued. A new and  caring economy would introduce policies that promote the redistribution of unpaid care work, whilst recognising its central role in maintaining our economy. Womens’ Budget Group also highlight that the care sector is naturally low carbon and needs to be valued as such, with real living wages, secure contracts and unionisation.

Shorter working time needs to be at the centre of post pandemic recovery, and is part of the solution to building a sustainably prosperous economy. A shorter working week offers a way of sharing a reduced supply of jobs as we transition to a low carbon economy, whilst also improving wellbeing by reducing stress and anxiety for people like Jane and Dan. It also leaves workers more time to care for their families and opens up more opportunities for domestic carers to re-engage with the labour market.

As well as universal basic income, extending public services to a universal basic services model is often a key part of policy discussions around  shifting beyond the current economic paradigm.  Securing everyone’s basic needs is not only part of building a more caring economy but can be a pre-condition to transition beyond the unsustainable, growth addicted model. This report looks at different ways universal basic services can be designed and explains how strengthening and extending universal services can be an effective way of confronting poverty, ecological sustainability and improving wellbeing for all.

Results from a two year experiment offer insights and evidence into the potential real-life benefits of a universal basic income – including significant increases in overall wellbeing, public trust and employment. Imagine how UBI could relieve some of the pressure from the Dans or Janes in our lives?

A new project in Germany that is committed to spreading the idea of unconditional basic income and researching it. They set basic income unconditionally at 1000 euros a month. For every 120 citizens they reach, they compare to a control group  of 1380 citizens. The scheme is yet to publish any quantitative data but it is an exciting study to keep an eye on. Find out more a directly at https://www.mein-grundeinkommen.de/

Degrowth theories mount an important challenge and alternative to the current failing economic system. Not all green new deal proponents are advocates of degrowth, but a number of more recent framings of green new deals contain more radical messaging about the need to change the logics of our growth-based economies if climate targets are to be reached on time and in socially just ways. This recent article looks at the relationship between degrowth and green new deals and how the two idea sets can mutually reinforcing if more radical framings of green new deals are seized by civil society and stakeholders. It also highlights the importance of upscaling public investment to finance the transition to clean energy, as well as the importance of a Just Transition framework in the form of a widespread job guarantee scheme.

A Green New Deal for the UK must be afforded by redefining the role of public investment. Governments need to take a lead role in transformational green investment, providing market certainty that will in turn encourage private investment.

Covid-19 and the 2008 financial crash have showed that when there is political will, the money can be found.  Baiman illustrates how an ambitious Global GND could have been almost entirely financed by the equivalent spent bailing out the global financial system over the 2008-2011 period.

An alternative perspective highlighting the role of borrowing over taxation when it comes to financing a Green New Deal. Pettifor argues that almost all of the Green New Deal can be financed by governments’ equivalent of a giant credit card, but would also be able to take advantage of investment by savers. Thankfully, the creation of millions of jobs will generate the income and tax revenues needed to repay any borrowing.

Here is a short list of practical actions citizens can take to support progressive campaigns for the kind of GND we need, and local initiatives that are emblematic of the key transformations touched upon in our animation.”