Chair’s introduction by Dame Fiona Reynolds

DAME FIONA REYNOLDS CHAIR

I am pleased to present Green Alliance’s annual report funding for work on a green recovery, in which issues for 2019-20. of equality and diversity will be at the heart. With the

This time last year, we were consumed by Brexit. UK hosting the next major UN climate summit in This is still fundamentally important, but in spring 2021, we recognise the uniqueness of this moment, 2020 the political focus switched almost wholly to with multiple opportunities to shift direction towards dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus a fairer, greener future. We will be seizing every pandemic. Covid-19 took hold of the country just as chance across all our projects to make this happen. the period covered by this report ended. Since then I am enormously grateful to our hardworking we have seen unprecedented public policy and staff, who have dealt with this extremely difficult government intervention, both during the lockdown and since, in attempts to protect people’s health and recover the economy. On top of the health and economic crises, Covid-19 has laid bare and “More than ever we need a vision of a green future” exacerbated deep social problems and inequalities.

But alongside all of this, there were positives. The period with grace and enthusiasm, keeping Green enforced ‘stay at home’ gave some people a rare chance Alliance on track, fresh and thriving. During 2019-20, to pause and connect properly with nature and their we were sorry to say goodbye to Amy Mount, who led local environment. As a consequence, there has been a the Greener UK unit with such skill and diplomacy palpable sense of awakening to the vital issues of climate and is now working on Brexit strategy for the change and the need to protect and recover nature. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Green Alliance’s immediate priority was to protect (Defra), and Paul McNamee, who ran our political our staff and switch to action to address the health crisis. programme, is now senior adviser to London’s deputy Working from home presented us with the opportunity mayor for environment and energy. Our policy to try out new ways of engaging. We pivoted quickly, director, Dustin Benton, is on sabbatical to Defra, increasing our output with a new series of outstanding applying his great analytical skills to the National online events. These have proved enormously popular Food Strategy until next year. and are likely to become a permanent feature of our My particular thanks go to the leadership team: work. Our podcast also attracted new audiences, with Shaun, Belinda and Jo, whose mix of determination, weekly interviews with experts discussing everything flair and courage ensured that Green Alliance is in from the environmental origins of the pandemic to good shape and ready to meet whatever the world the nature of leadership in difficult times. throws at us next.

If last year felt like an unfrozen moment over Brexit, Covid-19 has also caused us to look at the world in a new light. More than ever we need a vision of a green future, to renew our country, without returning to the exploitative and damaging policies of recent decades. Green Alliance is at the centre of those debates. After a period of real concern about how the pandemic would affect us, we have won new