Green Economy Council formed to help business rise to the low carbon challenge

THE Green Economy Council is held its first meeting on 16 February 2011, to discuss how government and industry can work
together to support the transition to a green, low carbon economy and minimise the costs for business while maximising the opportunities.

A group of high level business leaders from a cross-section of industries and sectors will advise government on green and green growth policies such as infrastructure, innovation, investment, and unnecessary regulation.

The Council will uniquely bring together Ministers from three key departments – the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Among the key issues on the agenda were the Green Economy Roadmap, which is being developed by all three departments and will be published in the spring. This will set out the Government’s long term strategy on climate change and the environment.

Business Secretary Vince Cable chaired the first meeting. He said:- “The transition to a green economy brings both opportunities and challenges that we need to tackle now to achieve sustainable growth and meet climate change targets. I’m delighted that we have attracted top business leaders from key sectors to join us on the Green Economy Council and help us develop these policies. We need to minimise the burdens on business and industry during this transition, while we create the necessary conditions for green growth and investment in the green economy.”

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said:- “If we don’t get off the oil hook we risk getting buffeted by each and every oil spike, damaging our economic and energy security. We want to work with Britain’s industry experts to make green jobs and investment come to the UK. We can be a world leading low carbon economy, but we need to get ahead of the likes of China who are closing down on us fast. The Coalition is putting in place the framework for significant low carbon investment, including reforming the electricity market, setting up the Green Investment Bank, and legislating for the Green Deal.”

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:- “Economic growth and protecting the natural environment must go hand in hand. More sustainable use of natural resources will help to reduce business costs, while planning for the likely impacts of climate change will help businesses to increase their resilience and also create new markets and jobs. The Green Economy Council is an opportunity to work with top industry figures for the good of both businesses and the environment.”

Kate Craig-Wood, Managing Director of Memset, a managed hosting and cloud computing provider, and Chair of Intellect’s Climate Change Group, said:- “The Green Economy Council is a welcome and long overdue initiative. The Government, through the Council, need to understand the issues that SMEs in the high tech sector face and the important role they can play in achieving sustainable growth. That’s a message I’m happy to help convey."

Dr Henry Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy said:- “Further accelerating the commercial growth of low carbon business and the widespread adoption of cleaner, more efficient technologies in the UK will benefit greatly from the creation of the Green Economy Council. A forum for business and industry leaders to engage regularly with the Ministers of three key government departments, to share vision, exchange ideas and develop strategy, represents an unprecedented opportunity to help shape future Government policy.”

Nigel Keen, Director Property Services and Property and Development, John Lewis Partnership said:- "If the economy is to grow sustainably out of recession, it is important that Government, businesses and their employees work together. We therefore welcome the opportunity to engage on this agenda."

Andy Reynolds-Smith - Divisional Chief Executive, GKN, said:- “A green economy is the future, it is crucial that in the UK we develop and sustain our industrial capabilities to compete globally. With this in mind, GKN very much welcomes the creation of the Green Economy Council and its ambition to take a leading role in the development of the green economy in the UK. Almost every engineering and manufacturing initiative has an environmental dimension to it these days. GKN will look to the Council to take a dominant role in the co-ordination and development of cross-cutting Whitehall policy, legislation and investment that will allow UK industry to compete effectively and develop a capability that will allow it to exploit opportunities at home and globally. I very much look forward to working closely with BIS, DECC and DEFRA in achieving this.”

Gearoid Lane, Managing Director, New Markets, Centrica said:- “The green economy will be a very significant platform for growth, offering the prospect of many thousands of new jobs. Over the next two years alone, in British Gas we will be taking on an additional 2,900 people into ‘green collar’ roles. I am delighted to join the Green Economy Council, which I hope will be able to play a proactive role in advising Government on how to realise the benefits available for the UK.”

Dan Labbad, CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa, Lend Lease said:- “From the perspective of the property sector, there are huge opportunities to significantly contribute to greening the economy. Greening both new and existing buildings will require the right conditions, removing confusion and creating a platform for both investment and innovation. This will need focussed collaboration between government and business. For this reason, the creation of the Green Economy Council is a welcome development."

Ian Goodfellow, Managing Director, Shanks plc and Chairman, Environmental Services Association said:- “The waste management industry has shown how the private sector can deliver investment, growth, and higher environmental standards such as more recycling all at the same time. We want to do more, but need a smart, stable policy framework to do so. I’m looking forward to ensuring that the Green Economy Council is focused on delivering this.”

Stephen Leonard, Chief Executive, IBM UK & Ireland said:- "We believe the imperative for sustainable action is strong, but sustainability has to be balanced across the social and economic aspects of society as well as environmental. No one organisation can achieve this on their own and there is a growing need for collaboration between businesses and government to create a shared vision. This vision will aim to drive the right investments and create a common strategy across all aspects of sustainability to maximise opportunities for the UK."

HUNT IS ON FOR UK’S FINEST DEAF COMMUNICATORS

A nationwide search for the leading lights of deaf communications has been launched by Signature.

The 2011 Signature Annual Awards have been launched to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to improving communications and access for deaf and deafblind people.

The awards are hosted by Signature, the leading provider of accredited qualifications in sign language and other forms of deaf and deafblind communication.

This is the awards’ third year and Signature is promising they will be bigger and better than ever – including eight prestigious national award categories and a further 26 regional awards across the UK and Ireland.

The regional nominations are now underway via:- signature.org.uk/awards – a Teacher of the Year and Learner of the Year will be chosen from each of the 13 regions and these winners will then progress to the final award ceremony in London in November.

Signature Chief Executive Jim Edwards said:- “We are delighted to start the hunt for nominees for the third Signature Annual Awards – the previous awards have highlighted fantastic examples of the outstanding work that goes on across the UK and Ireland and we are confident this year will be the best yet. We have been overwhelmed in previous years by the quality and breadth of the nominations. It is humbling to see the amount of incredible work that goes on to embrace, develop and improve deaf communications. We are looking forward to hearing more about those people and organisations that are making a huge difference to the lives of deaf and deafblind people.”

The award categories that will be announced in London in November include:-

► Joseph Maitland Robinson Award for Outstanding Contribution
► Teacher of the Year
► Learner of the Year
► Young Learner of the Year (aged 16 years and under)
► Centre of the Year
► Communication Professional of the Year
► Organisational Achievement
► Community Spirit (new for 2011)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:- "CRIMINALS IN CONTROL"

"How can the 234 MPs who voted to continue to deny prisoners the vote in breach of a European Court ruling have the effrontery to condemn convicts in our gaols when their vote shows that they too are prepared to flout the laws of the land?  When demonstrators next riot outside Westminster, these legislators will have to keep silent least they rightly be accused of hypocricy. I can only fear for our increasingly lawless society when our very law makers consider that they are above the law." John Eoin Douglas

Sub Editors Reply:- "Surely though by their very nature, Criminal, they have given up any rights to being part of society and therefore should not share those same rights."

KITTEN LAUNCHES LIVER BIRDS WALK

FORMER Atomic Kitten and TV presenter Jenny Frost has launched the annual Liver Birds Midnight Walk to raise money for a cause very close to her heart.  Thousands of women are expected to take part in the ladies-only moonlit walk along Liverpool’s waterfront later this year.  More than a thousand women took part in the 2010 event and raised over £100,000 for The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.  Jenny, whose mum Rita died from lung cancer in January last year, said:- “I’m delighted to be a part of the Liver Birds Midnight Walk 2011. It’s going to be such a special night.  I lost my lovely mum to lung cancer last year and I miss her every day. By supporting this event I feel like I’m doing my bit for the Foundation so that they can continue their vital work into defeating this terrible disease so others don’t have to suffer in the way that we have.  There are many different reasons motivating people to walk. Some like me, may have lost a loved one or maybe you just want a really good night out for a fantastic cause - whatever your reason let’s make it as successful and fun as possible.”  The 9km route starts and finishes at the Pier Head on 13 May 2011 and takes in various city sites, including the world famous waterfront.  If you would like to take part in the event, you can register online or call:- 0151 254 7200 to request a registration form.  Sign up before 18 March 2011, you will be entered into a prize draw to win 2 tickets to Ladies Day at the world famous Grand National weekend.   Please note there is a registration fee of:- £10.

Cancelled Liverpool Boat Show, but not lost?

IT has come as a blow as one of Liverpool's new major events has been cancelled by organisers, Marine Industry Events. The event was set to take place over 10 days and attract an estimated 400,000 visitors to the region over April. Sadly, after many exhibitors have been hard hit by the economic situation, they have found themselves having to pull out. This meant the organisers faced the hard decision to cancel. But hope is on the horizon, and the Liverpool's new found spirit has lead to discussions between Liverpool Council and other local partners to see if another event can be arranged. Already the cancelled event has had significant investment, with:- "MIE and British Waterways establishing world class berthing and staging facilities" Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision said to the press:- "We now intend to use them to the city's best advantage. This cancelled show was billed as a major national event to be held around the city's historic Albert Dock, but even though we cannot put on such a big show, we are hoping to do our best to capitalize on the foundations already built." Also adding to this was Councillor Wendy Simon who is Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism. She has also stressed that:- "The city would not lose out. We will do our best to put on a show!"  Email your views on this to:- news24@southportreporter.com.