RDAs welcome pioneering climate change bill – but say ‘hard work starts here'
December 1, 2008
England's RDAs have welcomed the news that the UK has become the first country in the world to enshrine stringent CO2 reduction targets in law, but have said that the hard work lies ahead.
Richard Ellis, chair of East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and lead chair for England's regional development agencies on climate change said: "Today is to be welcomed, but the hard work begins here.
"With the Royal Assent of the Climate Change Bill the UK has set a challenging but necessary target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This will play a major role in shifting the country to an economy based on low-carbon, sustainable economic growth. However we now need renewed efforts to mitigate against the effects of climate change and seize the economic opportunities available.
"Regional development agencies have a major role to play in assisting the UK meet its targets and this is reflected in their corporate plans and all the regional economic strategies, drafted by RDAs but which are agreed by regional partners and stakeholders.
"Through strategic leadership, partnership working and targeted investment RDAs have already made a significant contribution to tackling climate change. Via this continued contribution, by leading on the development of the new regional strategies, RDAs can put low-carbon economic growth at the heart of everything they do, which will be vital going forward."
To fit with the passing of the Climate Change Bill, RDAs are launching a range of case studies demonstrating the work of regional development agencies on climate change issues and these are now available on the www.englandsrdas.com website.
By receiving Royal Assent, the Climate Change Bill, which commits the UK to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, passes its final milestone and becomes enshrined in UK law. This makes the UK the first country in the world to have a legally binding long-term framework to cut greenhouse gas emissions and help adapt to climate change. While the granting of Royal Assent is merely a formality, it is a necessary final step before the new CO2 targets come into effect.
Richard Ellis added: "Today is a time to recognise and harness the economic opportunities that come from leading the way in developing new technologies and techniques that can help us tackle climate change. The global market for environmental goods and services is expected to grow by more than 30 per cent to £436 billion by 2010. The partnerships between RDAs and businesses are there to ensure that we harness this and focus on carbon reduction; drive innovation by providing the right support; create access to sustainable energy markets; and attract global investment in related sectors into the regions.
"Here in the East of England, global climate change poses a very real threat, which is why, as a region, we have been committed to achieving the 80 per cent by 2050 CO2 reduction target for some time. We have also been investing in innovative projects in order to take a leading role on the fight against climate change."
Speaking in his current role as Chair of Chairs for the regional development agency (RDA) network, Dr Bryan Jackson, chairman of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) added: "The challenge of responding to climate change is one that the RDAs are taking very seriously and we welcome the passing of this Bill which highlights Government's commitment to legislate on an issue of such high importance.
"The RDAs are already working closely with local partners and the business community in our regions to take practical steps to reduce our carbon footprint and assess all options and strategies for adapting to the risks and capitalising on the opportunities that will arise through climate change.
"The East Midlands hosts the national Energy Technologies Institute, a £1 billion public private partnership, which is playing a major role in technology developments internationally in support of the UK's climate change goals going forward."
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