In our quest for a decarbonised economy, establishing a robust ‘greenprint’ is crucial. This strategic blueprint was the focal point of a panel discussion at Chamber UK’s and JBP‘s ‘Future Economy’ seminar in the South West.
The panelists included: MD of Atkins Realis, Richard Bonner, Chair of South West Regional Council and Regional Health Corporate and Institutional Banking, South West, Lloyds Plc, Carmen Peacock, Senior Energy Analyst at Regen, Grace Millman, Director at Responsible Business, Business West, Jessica Valentine, CEO of South West Business Council, Paul Coles, Business Development Manager of Ameresco, Julian Miller, and Deputy Director of Western Gateway, James Cooke. Their dialogue illuminated several key areas essential for advancing towards a sustainable future.
Collaboration Between Government and Private Sector
A significant theme throughout the panel was the imperative need for enhanced collaboration between government bodies, regional authorities, and the private sector. Effective coordination among these stakeholders is essential to create a unified greenprint that aligns their efforts towards a common goal. Paul Coles emphasised the importance of integrating educational institutions into this collaborative framework. These institutions play a vital role in equipping the workforce with the necessary skills for green jobs, thus supporting the transition.
Jessica Valentine and Carmen Peacock echoed this sentiment, calling for stronger cooperation among governments, local authorities, and businesses. They stressed that these entities are pivotal in driving the shift towards decarbonisation at both regional and national levels.
The Necessity of a Clear Plan
The panel underscored the need for a clear, widely accepted plan to facilitate the transition to a decarbonised economy. Paul Coles kicked off the discussion by highlighting the necessity of a “greenprint” not just for the transition but also for restructuring the grid system. James Cooke furthered this point, advocating for bringing together the right stakeholders—government officials, councillors, workers, and businesspeople—to foster organised collaboration on green energy projects.
Grace Millman delved deeper into the importance of a centralised plan for decarbonisation. She proposed a strategic network plan for green energy projects, which would provide private sector businesses with better information, encouraging investments in renewable energy, especially offshore wind projects. This strategic planning is crucial for accelerating the transition to a decarbonised economy.
Skilling Up the Workforce
A unanimous agreement among the panellists was the necessity of a comprehensive programme to upskill the workforce. Jessica Valentine highlighted that this upskilling should extend beyond the green energy sector to encompass all levels of businesses. She cited a survey revealing that while 70% of businesses acknowledged the need for upskilling, far fewer were actively pursuing it.
Valentine also pointed out existing successful skilling programmes and pathways into green energy jobs. These initiatives align with Paul Coles’ praise for educational institutions’ role in preparing young people for decarbonisation-powered careers. Such efforts are essential for building a workforce capable of supporting the green transition.
Removing Barriers to Decarbonisation
The panel also addressed the need to dismantle legislative barriers hindering decarbonisation. Speakers criticised current laws that restrict the development of new green energy projects. Grace Millman particularly advocated for removing specific legislative hurdles that impede offshore wind projects. Paul Coles called for changes at both national and local levels to eliminate obstacles to decarbonisation.
Millman argued that removing these barriers would likely attract more private sector investment. By providing clarity and reducing risks, private investors would be more inclined to fund green energy projects, thereby accelerating the transition to a decarbonised economy.
The Greenprint So Far
The insights from this panel provide a valuable foundation for future policies and initiatives aimed at transitioning regions, particularly the South West, towards decarbonisation. If the next government heeds the panel’s advice and integrates their recommendations into policy, we can anticipate a significant acceleration in the move towards a sustainable, decarbonised economy.
An exclusive report detailing the whole event and highlighting key policy recommendations will become available to all Industrial Strategy Research Group Subscribers. To become a Research Group Subscriber or find out more information, please email team@curia.com.
This article was written by Chamber’s features writer, Bart Smallman.
