Barry signed a joint letter-letter which was published in the Independent. You can read it below:
The coronavirus crisis has prompted the biggest state intervention in the market in history. Around the world governments have earmarked more than $8tn (£6.4bn) in a bid to keep the global economy moving. The spread of the pandemic has shown the strength of investing in companies putting people and planet first. Green stocks have outperformed others by almost 8 per cent since the start of the crisis.
As world leaders look to the economic recovery, short-term carbon-intensive solutions are not the answer. Instead creating an economy where resources are only used if they are 100 per cent recyclable or reusable represents our best route to a better future.
Indeed, the European Commission estimates investing in a circular economy could create some 700,000 jobs by 2030 in Europe alone, invigorating sectors that will deliver long-term prosperity without trashing our natural world. A real circular economy could once and for all realise the vision of a world free from the connected problems of runaway climate change and the global-waste crisis.
Now more than ever before the future belongs to companies that work with nature, not against it. The economic response to the crisis must be executed in line with our global sustainability goals and put green stimulus measures front and centre.
Lucy Siegle, chair of the Real Circularity Coalition
George Monbiot, author and environmental activist
Alviina Alametsa MEP, Finland
Ernest Urtasun MEP, Spain
Prof Jeremy Faludi, department of design engineering, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
Prof James Elliott, materials science & metallurgy, University of Cambridge
Prof Raimund Bleischwitz, director, The Bartlett School of Environment Energy & Resource
Dr Nick Taylor Buck, faculty of science research manager, University of Sheffield
Bella Lack, ambassador, Born Free Foundation
Julie Anderson, global CEO, Plastics Oceans International, USA
Hugo Tagholm, chief executive, Surfers Against Sewage
Sally Uren, chief executive, Forum for the Future
Dr Becky Gates, founding director and trustee, Fidra
Caroline Lucas MP, Green, Brighton Pavilion
Barry Gardiner MP, Labour, Brent North
Ben Lake MP, Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion
Claire Hanna MP, Social Democrat and Labour, South Belfast
Claudia Beamish MSP, Scottish Labour, South Scotland
Prof Peter North, alternative economies, University of Liverpool
Dr Patrick Pomeroy, senior research scientist, school of biology, University of St Andrews
Ray Georgeson MBE, director, Ray Georgeson Resources
Prof Rupert Ormond, centre for marine biodiversity & biotechnology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Dr Oliver Bragg, geography and environmental science, school of social sciences, University of Dundee
Neil Garrick-Maidment FBNA, founder, The Seahorse Trust
Baroness Bakewell of Hardington, Liberal Democrat
Baroness Lister of Burtersett, Labour
Baroness Walmsley, Liberal Democrat
Lord Grantchester, Labour
The Rt Hon Lord Naseby PC, Conservative