In a recent Environmental Audit Committee session, Barry met with representatives from Think Tanks and Trade Unions to discuss the opportunities for green job creation in the post-COVID economy recovery. Barry asked the first panel, featuring policy experts from Green Alliance and the Institute for Public Policy Research, about the role of Carbon Border Adjustment Taxes. The EU is proposing a scheme to tax energy and goods imports which are carbon intensive. The idea of border taxes are not without criticism, whilst proponents argue they will encourage lower income countries to decarbonize to remain competitive, Barry questioned the panel on whether the UK could better incentivize developing countries to decarbonize in a more just way.
In the second panel featuring Trade Union representatives, Barry focused his questions on retraining and reskilling workers transitioning out of fossil fuel industries and into renewables. The panel also discussed sector transition plans including for new homes, and the support and extra funding required to ensure businesses and workers are prepared for the net zero transition.