The Green Alliance Podcast

The government’s consultation on the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate has closed, with a final decision expected around the end of the year. The mandate sets rising sales targets for new electric cars and vans, and some carmakers want it weakened.In this episode, adapted from a Green Alliance webinar chaired by Roz Bulleid, research and policy director at Green Alliance, Ben Nelmes of New AutoMotive, James Court of Octopus Electric Vehicles and Bob Hancké of Political Economic Analysis, Consulting & Strategies (PEACS) ask whether the mandate is really failing. They discuss the case for policy stability, the planned pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles and why the transition needs a plan for workers and regions. They also look at how electric vehicles connect to cheaper motoring and energy security.

What do five consecutive heatwaves, months of drought and a record breaking summer tell us about the years ahead?  In this episode, Cath Smith, Green Alliance’s head of social impact, speaks to meteorologist Gemma Plumb about the climate science driving extreme heat and Deputy Mayor Mete Coban MBE about how London is adapting. Together, they explore what it will take to turn the lessons of this summer into lasting resilience for the years to come. 

Two weeks into Andy Burnham's premiership, what does it mean for UK climate and environmental policy?  Green Alliance's Director of Politics Holly Brazier Tope is joined by Caitlin Prowle (Co-operative Party), Paul McNamee (LCEF) and Sarah Williams (Green Alliance) to unpack the politics of devolution, place-based power and a reshuffled DESNZ and Defra. They explore whether the environmental sector should worry if this government delivers green wins without ever saying "climate" and ask when we can expect the next election.

After more than a decade of campaigning, a natural history GCSE for England is finally on the table. In this special episode, former MP Caroline Lucas and conservationist Mary Colwell sit down to unpack the government’s new consultation: what it gets right, what it’s missing and what bumblebees have to do with it.

In this episode of the Green Alliance Podcast, Ruth is joined by Bethan Sayed from Climate Cymru and Annie Smith from RSPB Cymru to take stock of what Wales's new Plaid Cymru-led government and expanded Senedd means for nature and climate. From the Sustainable Farming Scheme to the long-awaited Office of Environmental Governance Wales, the conversation covers the big policy tests ahead and what it will take to turn commitments into delivery.