The recommendation comes in a report published by the Alliance today (March 2), titled “UK resource governance for the 21st century”. The report assesses the range of options that have been put forward in recent months for the management of resource policy within central government.
The report has been published on behalf of the Alliance’s Circular Economy Task Force made up of representatives from the Resource Association, Viridor, the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Veolia, Unilever, and the retailer Boots.
Options discussed have included handing the portfolio for waste policy to the Department for Business (BIS), or establishing a Department for Natural Resources, which would have sole responsibility for policies related to resource management.
Engagement
But, the Green Alliance has concluded that involving multiple departments in resource policy will encourage “high level political engagement” on issues related to resources and waste.
It stated: “We consider that there is one combination which offers the best scope for developing an effective strategy and co-ordinating policy development across government: a National Resources Council supported by an independent commission on resource risk.
“The former would provide the necessary cross-departmental reach and high level political engagement to support effective policy development, and the latter would provide valuable expert advice, identifying where government support is needed and priorities for action.”
Green Alliance goes on to comment that the ‘prize’ for effective action on resources is significant, with benefits including increased security and economic stability.
The group added: “Calls for increased political action on resources are growing and, whichever party forms the next government, change is likely. The creation of a new institutional framework for resources within central government will support UK businesses and signal clearly that resource security is a political and economic priority for the UK.”
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