Mayor to discuss net zero ambitions with business

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street (pictured), will be discussing net zero ambitions, during an online event being hosted next week by Sustainability West Midlands.

The event is being hosted in partnership with Mott MacDonald, and will explore the importance of local insight, capability, and connectivity in helping the West Midlands move towards net zero carbon emissions.

With more than 50 organisations already registered, the mayor will be joined by major businesses, including Arup, Galliford Try, Hydrock, National Express, RPS Group and Veolia as well as local universities, councils and charities.

Other speakers include Anna Bright, chief executive at Sustainability West Midlands, Luke Strickland, Environment Team lead at Mott MacDonald, and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

Amongst other initiatives, the mayor will highlight how the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge encourages companies and other organisations to commit to reducing their carbon emissions, whilst providing them with practical support and guidance on how to achieve those targets.

Arup, BT, Birmingham County Football Association, National Express WM and Worksmiths are amongst those already signed up to the pledge.

Mr Street said: “We 're asking companies to help us achieve our ambition of being a net zero region by 2041 by signing up to the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge and commit to reducing their carbon emissions.

"For those who join us on our journey to net zero there are many commercial opportunities in areas such as retrofit, clean transport, forestry and carbon capture, in addition to creating thousands of jobs across the West Midlands. ”

The webinar is open to all and free to join. It will be held on Zoom on 30 June between 10:30am and 12pm. Organisations wishing to attend can register on the Sustianbility West Midlands website: https://www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk/?post_type=events&p=17059