Automotive firms invited to contribute to 'green economy ' research
The Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University is inviting businesses to contribute to research on a 'Just Transition ' to support the automotive industry in the West Midlands and South Australia.
The research, led by Professor de Ruyter (pictured), aims to understand how firms who supply automotive parts and technology relating to internal combustion - as well as workers in these firms - aim to acclimatise to the shift away from polluting technologies towards renewable energy.
The Just Transition involves workers in industries affected by structural change, focusing particularly on workers shifting to a so-called “Green Economy ”.
As opportunities to move out of polluting industries arise for workers, for example steering away from the use of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) towards carbon-zero technologies such as electric vehicles (EV), the Just Transition aims to examine what this change entails for the automotive industry.
Businesses in the automotive industry affected by the net zero transition are invited share their thoughts on the Just Transition with Prof. de Ruyter in the form of a short interview.
Businesses involved in the research will play a crucial role in informing policymakers and industry players within the West Midlands. They will help formulate best practise on industry and regional policy, as well as help outline the necessary steps in adopting the Just Transition.
Issues to be explored in the research include minimising supply-chain vulnerabilities, supply chain diversification and resilience, skills gaps in the transition to “green industries ” and measures firms and workers require to adjust.
Prof. Alex de Ruyter, professor and director of the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University, said: “Businesses in automotive have a delicate balancing act of immediate and long-term priorities to ensure future business success.
“Through this research we aim to support the most at risk businesses and workers from the net zero transition. We believe the work, with businesses help, will successfully inform policy, industry and government behaviours. ”
Businesses interesting in contributing to the research are invited to email Prof. Alex de Ruyter: [email protected]
The interviews will conclude on Monday 14 February.