The Ten Point Plan was published last month and features input from more than 300 leading industrial, local-government and academic voices from the region, who provided their expertise and insights throughout the consultation period.
A º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ team led by Professor Upul Wijayantha won the tender to deliver the Green Growth plan early this year. He was supported by Dr Alok Choudhary and Lizzie Ashton. The team worked very closely with Midlands Engine, Energy Research Accelerator and regional experts to successfully deliver the Midlands Green Growth Plan.
Within the publication, Professor Wijayantha – who is an expert in Green Energy – said: “Our Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine provides vision and pathways for regional and economic recovery. It clearly demonstrates how communities can work together and be more resilient when facing challenges, by developing the regional green economy in partnership with other regions in the UK.
“We are delighted to work with many experts from different sectors and play a key role in developing the stimulating Ten Point Plan.”
The 10 Point Plan is split into the following three categories:
- Places: (1) Green Buildings, (2) Net Zero Transport, (3) Nature’s Recovery, (4) Blue-Green Places
- Energy: (5) Low Carbon Hydrogen, (6) Clean Energy, (7) Smart Energy
- Enablers: (8) Green Innovation, (9) Energy Workforce, (10) Green Finance
The initiative looks to establish places for people and nature to flourish, decarbonise heat, pioneer and deliver hydrogen solutions, and develop a highly skilled, inclusive and diverse workforce. It is also closely aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The plan's next step is to launch a series of events targeting key stakeholders such as politicians and the media.
Longer-term, by 2041 the plan hopes to achieve the following:
- Creating over 196,000 jobs to bring increased opportunities for communities
- A 36% reduction in C02 emissions
- More than £24 billion gross added value.
Sir John Peace, Chair of Midlands Engine commented: “Our partners across the Midlands are already leading in, and will remain at the heart of, the UK’s Green Industrial Revolution. We will do so by remaining ambitious, with planned actions at scale, driven by the challenge we face and urgency of need.
“In co-authoring our Plan, with shared commitments for delivery together, our partners agree: now is the time to stand together, to act in concert and accelerate our impact, together. Through the Midlands Engine Partnership, we will.”
Further information can be read in the publication which can be viewed online here.
Midlands Engine is a force comprised of 20 universities, 65 local authorities, nine local enterprise partnerships and over 800,000 businesses. The partnership strives to drive economic growth and quality of life for communities in the region.