Promoting sustainable development – which for the purposes of this inquiry includes protecting the environment, supporting the low carbon economy and improving wellbeing – could be worth billions of pounds to the UK economy. In 2013, the low carbon economy generated over £120 billion in turnover. The 2015-20 period will be crucial for ensuring the Government continues to promote sustainable development, with many key policies coming to an end and due for renewal or replacement.
The Committee will be exploring what impact the new Government’s fiscal and legislative agenda will have on sustainable development. It will be looking to establish themes for its work during the Parliament and measures against which the Government's success can be judged. The evidence received for this inquiry will feed into the Committees work over the course of this Parliament.