Welcome to the SWM Newsletter - February 2017

Trump – The implications for a low carbon West Midlands?

In the West Midlands, climate change will keep occurring, no-matter who the US President is or whether we are part of the EU or not. In parallel the low carbon market will also continue to grow, driven by private investment and the global demand for clean, cheap and reliable energy. Meanwhile, to meet the UK Climate Change Act requirements we will need future standards that are stronger than current EU policy. As UK Government special advisor Sir David King said this month at the West Midlands Energy capital launch “The demand for low carbon energy presents the best time to make money since the industrial revolution”. 

SWM will continue our role in making sure our businesses and communities maximise the benefit from this long-term energy revolution, while not getting distracted from the present uncertainty. We continue to share our sustainability and resilience planning tools and experience with local businesses and look at new opportunities, such as the UK industrial strategy.

Read Our Comment for a more detailed analysis.

Dr Simon Slater, Associate Director of Policy & Partnerships, on behalf of the SWM team

The rest of this newsletter is packed full of our events, resources and funding – get involved.

• Innovation. The next Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting that we convene on behalf of Birmingham Science City takes place this Wednesday 1 March at the site of the new National Low Carbon Centre, Stoneleigh Park. There’s a site tour and speakers include Aston University and the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
• Carbon Management. We’re running an event on Public Sector Carbon Management and Reduction this Thursday 2 March hosted by Coventry City Council and supported by Salix Finance, WRM Ltd, Engie and EAUC. The event is fully booked but you’ll be able to access the outputs from the workshop here subsequently.
• Energy. SMEs in the Black County, Birmingham and Solihull could be eligible for a free energy audit and funding for energy efficient lighting, heating and other equipment from the Low Carbon Growth Support Project, in partnership with Groundwork West Midlands. Come to our free launch event on Tuesday 28 March in Wolverhampton to find out more.
• Awards. Congratulations to the winners of our Green Leaders Awards: Andy Whyle from Ricoh UK Products Limited, Ben Boswell from Herefordshire Council, and Kate Gathercole from New Leaf Sustainable Development Ltd. Thanks to everyone who applied and for going the extra mile to make our region more sustainable. Thanks also to MEBC for letting us share their awards lunch for our presentation.
• Devolution. SWM finalised our agreement with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to become their sustainability delivery partner. Our first task will be to provide an independent sustainability review of their current plans and operations and put forward recommendations for improvements. More updates over the coming months.
• Mayoral elections. SWM chaired the follow up mayoral debate from our annual conference at the recent Energy Capital launch this month. Most candidates joined the leader of Birmingham City Council in making a pledge for the region to be committed to producing and using 100% clean energy by 2050. Meanwhile the Centre for Cities has published its own Mayoral priorities.
• Energy Capital. SWM is a partner, along with many of our members, for this latest initiative to help coordinate and promote local low carbon energy research and business opportunities. The project is chaired by SWM Board member Matthew Rhodes and was successfully launched to a packed venue at the University of Birmingham on 15 February. Watch out for more news over the year, and check out the new website.
• Resources. SWM continue to draw on our tools and members experience to help businesses identify risks and opportunities associated with current uncertainty around local, national and international policy. Thanks to SWM members sben for letting us discuss this with their business networks this month. You can view our presentation here.

For more information on how to become a SWM member or get involved in our projects see work with us on our website, or contact us.

• Bioenergy. The new Business Investment in Research project run by EBRI is providing support to West Midlands businesses to use bioenergy and new energy systems to help business growth including awareness raising roadshows. Two bioenergy Master Classes are running on 15-16 March in Birmingham and 29-30 March in Wolverhampton.
• Funding. The latest opportunity for SMEs to access EDRF is Round 9 of the Business Growth Programme which launched last week – deadline to apply is 15 March.
• Awards. The BusinessGreen Leaders Awards have opened are looking to celebrate those organisations and individuals undertaking genuinely unique work that serve to drive green growth. There are many relevant categories that you can apply to – closing 17 March.

A full list of news, funding and resources is available on the news page of our website and for more national news, check out the website of our colleagues at Climate UK.

• Devolution. The WMCA invite the voluntary and community sector to a workshop on 8 March in Solihull focusing on the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP). It will kick off with a presentation from Councillor Bob Sleigh, Leader of Solihull Council, about the WMCA and the SEP, followed by Q&A and workshops.
• Energy. Organised by SWM member Ecuity, an Introductory Meeting for the West Midlands Hydrogen Hub is taking place on 7 March in Solihull and is particularly relevant for distribution, energy, waste and manufacturing companies, hospitals, large companies with pool cars, companies with a strong sustainability agenda, and housing and property developers.
• Climate. An event on shaping perceptions of climate change takes place at the University of Birmingham on 13 March. Anna Bright will be presenting about making sustainable behaviour changes.
• Energy. SWM member Climate Change Solutions are hosting the 13^th International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Conference on 14 March in Birmingham. An International Brokerage Event will run alongside the conference aimed at Midlands and International companies looking for partners, customers and clients in this sector.
• Water. Open Water are holding a morning workshop in Birmingham on 15 March for business, charity and public sector customers ahead of the water market opening to help you make sense of what’s to come.
• Energy. SWM member BECCI are hosting a free energy storage training workshop on 24 March in Wolverhampton to highlight the benefits of battery storage and PV technologies.
• Flood & Coast. The Environment Agency are providing a three day Flood & Coast 2017 event in Telford on 28-30 March, including free exhibition and seminars and the option to purchase a conference pass and gala dinner tickets.
• Innovation. Save the date – Venturefest West Midlands is returning to Birmingham on 27 June looking at supporting business growth through innovation.

A full list of our members and partners’ events are available on the events page of our website.

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