More control over energy policy urged by WMCA
Ambitious green plans produced by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) urges government to give more local control over energy policy, in efforts to tackle climate change.
The Net Zero Pathfinder document published by the WMCA stresses a 'local first ' approach to tackling climate change.
The ten 'asks ' of Government in the document include a regional programme for the wide-scale retrofitting of homes, a new model for investment in major energy infrastructure, keeping control over energy levies raised in the region and local retention of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) - worth over £50 million to the region.
The plans build on the region 's achievements in clean transport, such as the All-Electric Bus City in Coventry, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, industrial decarbonisation in the Black Country and its pioneering energy systems projects.
But the WMCA 's energy experts Energy Capital, have said that the region could go further and faster, with more support and devolution from central Government.
The announcement of the region 's role as a pathfinder was made at a virtual Q&A with West Midlands mayor Andy Street (pictured) hosted by Cadent, the UK's largest gas distribution network and one of the first invitees to join the region 's new Net Zero Delivery Board.
The mayor said: “The West Midlands is facing a climate emergency, and it is absolutely critical that we deliver on our #WM2041 plans to have the region carbon neutral by 2041. With brilliant green initiatives like the electric bus city in Coventry, our Brownfield First approach and our plans for the UK 's first Gigafactory, we believe we are well placed to achieve our goal.
“But we want to go further and faster and we realise that clean energy is fundamental to these plans. That is why today we 've set out our pathfinder ambitions, including the support we need from Government to make this happen. The West Midlands led the way with the industrial revolution, and we can do so again with a green industrial revolution. ”
Will Hargreaves, policy adviser at environmental lead at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said that the proposals presents a great opportunity to stimulate decarbonisation in the region.
He said: “The regional 'Net Zero Pathfinder ' proposal presents a great opportunity to stimulate new and innovative approaches for decarbonisation. It would incentive and empower businesses to contribute even more to the regional net zero target by 2041.
“More control over regional energy policy has the potential to catapult innovation and build on the region 's leadership in clean energy and transport, boosting the economy. ”
“Creating new models for energy infrastructure investment will also help tackle the gap in supply-side infrastructure, that many businesses are calling for to be resolved ”
“However, if passed, this intervention must keep energy costs down for businesses, as it is increasingly a large contributor to operational costs ”
“As the Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ)and international COP 26 event is launching this year, the 'Net Zero Pathfinder ' proposal can put the West Midlands at the forefront of national energy and transport policy leadership, with businesses playing a key role ”
“With many businesses at different stages of their net zero transition, the Chamber will continue to advise them throughout by providing relevant support, guidance and best practice. A couple of examples being the Clean Air Zone hub and 'Net Zero and the Business Community ' briefing paper."
To find out more on preparing for the Clean Air Zone, click here.
Read the 'Net Zero and the Business Community ” here
See the Net Zero Pathfinder proposal here