SWM
News October 2017: The Clean Growth Strategy
Our
Comment: The
Clean Growth Strategy
This
month, the government published the long awaited Clean Growth Strategy; we are glad
that they have caught up with the West Midlands way of thinking by
recognising that future economic growth should be low carbon.
Improving the environment improves the economy, and if the benefits
are shared they are felt in our society.
Upon
publication, the BBC focused on the implications
for energy efficiency of homes and the Green Alliance noted the radical
shift from a decarbonising add-on, to a Clean Growth Strategy
central to delivering the forthcoming UK Industrial Strategy. The Guardian commented that the
‘grown-ups had won’, recognising that it is possible to be both
green and economically successful.
Some
commentators suggested that the publication of the strategy still
falls short of being a dedicated action plan, emphasising the need
for its principles to be quickly translated into action. Client Earth and others were
not convinced there was enough detail to satisfy the requirements
of the Climate Change Act and specify how the government would
eventually meet its legally binding carbon emission reduction
targets.
The
good news is that whatever our future holds outside Europe, it is
looking increasingly green. This is just one of the many exciting
opportunities for the region we will be exploring with the Mayor
and the Climate Change Committee at our Annual Conference on 28 November.
Please join us for this essential debate.
Dr.
Simon Slater, Associate Director of Policy & Partnerships, on
behalf of the SWM team.
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