SWM Annual Conference: ‘Local Industrial Strategies – A Clean Revolution for the West Midlands?’ – 03/12/18

Date of Conference
03 December 2018

Speakers

Peter Woodward, SWM Associate
Tim Haywood, SWM
Anna Bright, SWM
Simon Slater, SWM
Myles Allen, University of Oxford, Leading Contributing Author of the IPCC Special Report
Michael Gallagher, Midlands Energy Hub
Ben Boswell, Marches LEP
Peter Davenport, Stoke & Staffordshire LEP
Luke Willetts, Worcestershire LEP

Purpose of the presentations

SWM’s Chief Executive Anna Bright and Chair Tim Haywood provided a review of the past year and highlights for SWM. A thought provoking keynote from Myles Allen, lead contributing author of the recent IPCC Special Report into Climate Change followed, with focus on implications for the West Midlands. This gave way to a lively discussion and debate, leaving the room energised and thinking about the solutions they could bring to their organisations. We then heard from Michael Gallagher of the Midlands Energy Hub. Michael outlined the opportunities available in the West Midlands through the local and regional approach when developing strategies and creating a successful project. He finished his presentation with a sense of ‘we can do this’, knowing that change can happen, and the support is there. After a discussion and a break, the conference continued with discussions on the development of Local Industrial Strategies across the West Midlands region. These key strategies, which are at varying points of development, will define and shape our region for the foreseeable future, determining policies and actions regarding energy, waste, health and more. We heard from the LEPs and WMCA who updated on the development of their strategies. The panel discussion allowed the audience to feedback their thoughts and pose questions to the representatives, ultimately helping to shape the strategies, but also, give the delegates the information they needed to take back to their organisations to start or continue their good work.

Feedback

100% of delegates providing feedback rated our Annual Conference as excellent or good in terms of organisation and 96% did so on content. Feedback included: “SWM events are always thought-provoking, excellent for networking and brilliantly organised. Well done to all the team.” “Excellent venue. Very relevant and timely key-note speaker. Well done – another excellent annual conference.” “Another excellent event. Good to meet old friends and make some new ones. Plus to feel energised to carry on fighting the good fight!” “Well done to the SWM team involved with organising todays event, a fantastic annual conference” Twitter highlights included: Trail blazing the movement against global warming together #suswm2018 Key message to @BhamCityCouncil @BrumLeader about listening to @CityPark4Brum here! #birmingham must reduce its #urban heat island effect @SWMtweet #suswm2018 We’re privileged today to have our keynote delivered by Myles Allen from @UniofOxford, contributor to the IPCC Special Report. He’s captured the room saying “we do still have some say on the outcome” of climate change. Real food for thought. #suswm2018

Next Steps

The LEPs are continuing the development of their Local Industrial Strategies, with the WMCA expecting to publish theirs in Spring 2019. The conference and feedback provided will help create better, more informed strategies that addresses the concerns of the region and our organisations and communities.