SWM News November 2017: A new era for sustainability in the West Midlands?

As the dust settles after our Annual Conference on Tuesday we reflect on what we believe has been a positive week for the sustainability of the West Midlands. The conference brought together 100 cross sector delegates at the University of Birmingham to focus on the sustainability priorities of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Baroness Brown of Cambridge provided a keynote that challenged the region to be the best in class when it comes to sustainability, stating that climate mitigation actions make our cities safer, quieter and cleaner places to live. Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, responded by detailing his commitment to next generation transport and energy as well as valuing natural capital and the need for social inclusion. Workshops focused on ten sustainability topics and the short and medium priorities for the WMCA. The resulting report is intended to shape action and delivery at the WMCA

On Monday the government published the Industrial Strategy with its focus on clean growth. The WMCA will benefit from £250 million from the Transforming Cities Fund to drive productivity through improved connectivity. Investment will be made to expand innovative construction training programmes including a £5 million programme in the West Midlands. £15 million will be invested in a new engineering university in Hereford. Some are disappointed with the level of detail in the strategy but there is a commitment to provide greater depth in the imminent 25 year environment plan and the Resource and Waste Strategy promised in the Clean Growth Strategy.

It appears that national and local leaders recognise that low carbon solutions benefit the economy, the environment and society and are starting to commit to clean growth in their strategies and action plans.

It’s a new era for SWM too as we welcome Tim Haywood as our new Chair with Peter Braithwaite stepping down after leading the organisation for five years. Tim was Group Finance Director of Interserve Plc from 2010 to 2017. He was appointed as Head of Sustainability in 2011. In recognition of his work in sustainability he was appointed HRH Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Responsible Business in 2017. Our thanks go to Peter for his commitment and support to SWM over the last five years.

Read ‘Our Comment’ for a more detailed reflection on the Annual Conference and Industrial Strategy.

Anna Bright, Chief Executive, on behalf of the SWM team.

• By 4 December. Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Sustainable Future Fund supports low-carbon alternative projects valued up to £100,000.
• By 15 January 2018. Grow Wild is awarding £2,000 or £4,000 to groups and projects which focus on UK native wildflowers, plants and/or fungi.
• By 30 March 2018. GBSLEP is looking for proposals to its Sustainable Urban Development programme; £11m of ERDF is available.
• By March 2019. SMEs can obtain free energy audits and grants towards energy efficiency measures in the Greater Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country areas.
• £84 million of funding is available for artificial intelligence, robotics research and smart energy innovation through various government initiatives.

Since 1 April 2017, we have promoted £500 million of accessible funding.

• SWM ran a workshop for organisations interested in applying to the ERDF Sustainable Urban Development fund on 22 November.
• SWM is relaunching its Sustainability and Public Health Network on 5 December in Birmingham.
• SWM will convene the next Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting on 6 December, featuring members Mott MacDonald and Ørsted.
• European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) is running an event on 6 December to help businesses gain funding and attract investment.
• University of Warwick is hosting a lecture on global sustainable development on 8 December on campus.
• sben is running an event on 12 December looking at the possibility of using business waste as a resource.
• Coventry City Council’s Green Business Programme has organised sessions for SMEs on energy management systems and innovation, across 14 and 15 December.
• SWM, working with network partners EAUC, will be speaking at the next Midlands Sustainable Education Network meeting on 18 December at Aston University.
• SWM, in partnership with the Environment Agency, is running an event that features Defra and focuses on climate adaptation and Climate Just on 4 January 2018.

A full list of our members is on our website.

• SWM welcomes new members SYSTRA and WM Housing Group.
• SWM ran Fit for the Future II with BEIS on 17 October where LEPs, cities and devolved regions shared good practice on energy and low carbon.
• University of Birmingham is crowdfunding to bring a bike share scheme to the campus, competing against four other universities. Vote for them today!
• Environment Agency’s awards are held in March 2018 for projects that have delivered excellent results in flood prevention, coastal risk or resilience.
• Congratulations to three of our members, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick and Aston University, for their success at the 2017 Green Gown Awards.
• Energy Systems Catapult has various jobs opportunities open, many of which expire soon, so apply in haste!
• Environment Agency has published data, case studies and evidence around the impact natural flood management has on reducing flood risk.

SWM members can send their events, research or other contributions to enquiries@swm.org.uk to be included in the next issue for no extra charge. Not a member? There are many advantages to SWM membership; find out more here.

• Devolution. The second devolution deal for the West Midlands has been agreed and it contains commitments related to energy, transport and air quality.
• Mayor Andy Street has been in post for six months and we have had a look at his key moments so far and future opportunities for the West Midlands.
• Health. The WMCA has released West Midlands on the Move, aiming to help promote physical activity whilst achieving economic goals.
• Budget. SWM has summarised the key points related to West Midlands and sustainability from last week’s budget announcements.
• Policy. The deadline to let BEIS know your views and comments on current and future public sector low carbon policies is on 7 December.
• Education. The EAUC Emerging Leaders programme can help participants develop problem solving and reflection skills.

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, are interested in becoming a member or have news stories, events, case studies and reports, please visit our website or contact us.