Seize the moment for a greener future

Environmental charity Bioregional has been working with local government on every kind of sustainability initiative for over 25 years. Most recently, they have been supporting a number of local authorities with the important first steps needed after declaring a climate emergency.

 It’s been a pleasure for Satellite MPR to support Bioregional with PR and comms to highlight this important work, for example in Greater Cambridge where Bioregional is helping them set a route map to net zero carbon, and in Oxfordshire where they are supporting a network of local councils, businesses, schools and community groups to work together on a shared vision for a better future for the region.

More recently, with over 70% of local authorities in the UK having now declared a climate and ecological emergency, Bioregional carried out a survey of local government professionals to understand better what they need to tackle it.

In an exclusive article for LocalGov, Sue Riddlestone OBE, CEO & co-founder, Bioregional, outlined some of the results and called on local authorities to play a leading role in a green recovery from the pandemic.

“Access to funding to invest in solutions or staff is seen as the main barrier to action. But if we make the case well, I think that is going to change, as the government and business begin to recognise the key role of local authorities in a green recovery from the pandemic,” says Sue.

“Recent studies, including from the IPPR, are showing just how many new, economically sustainable jobs and businesses we can create. They include the 560,000 new jobs for builders and trades to upgrade our homes with insulation and renewable energy technologies, and the opportunities for small shopkeepers as we re-imagine our high streets. Then there are the 230,000 new jobs involved in creating sustainable transport infrastructure, and 46,000 new jobs in nature restoration and tree planting – which can be a cost-effective nature-based solution to avoid damaging and costly flooding of communities.

 “We have seen for ourselves the huge interest in this through our Greentech business network which we set up with Oxford councils and other partners.”

 You can read Sue’s full article in LocalGov HERE