The 2012 TUC annual climate change conference, Green is Good for Growth, took place on 23 October and focused on how to deliver a greener and stronger UK economy.
Our thanks to the 200+ delegates who took part, and to our 30+ expert contributors. The conference included keynote addresses from the Business Secretary Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP (view his speech below) and Frances O'Grady, TUC General Secretary Designate (read Frances' speech below). The event also included expert-led workshops and panel debates between business, trade unions, campaigners and politicians. You can download resources and watch footage from the conference below.
Frances O'Grady, TUC General Secretary Designate: Frances focussed on "how we meet the twin challenges of economic and environmental renewal." She highlighted three key issues: (1) Building a low-carbon future can create sustainable growth. The financial case for greening our economy is unanswerable. (2) The government needs to do more to promote green growth. Much more. (3) The need to engage the trade union movement as equal partners in delivering green growth. "The task we face is too important, too urgent and too big to simply be left to government and business alone."
Read Frances O'Grady's speech online
Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary, Unite, summed up the 3 joint TUC-Industry studies of the energy intensive industries (EIIs). He called for a permanent policy advisory board for the sector; a banking structure that invests in UK manufacturing and in green industry; transitional support through to 2020 on energy costs and technology investment; and support programmes comparable to our European Union competitors.
Read Tony Burke's speech online
Chris Pook, Head of the Green Economy Team at BIS, outlined the Government's £250m package of support measures for the energy intensive industries (EIIs). He acknowledged that UK industry faces relatively high energy costs. BIS is developing an new joint strategy for these key industries.
Download: Building Low Carbon Industries (PDF)
Laura Cohen, Chief Executive of the Ceramics Confederation, expressed reservations about the energy intensive industries (EIIs) support package. She called for support capital investment for improved energy efficiency; capital allowances for heat-using energy efficient investments; support demonstrator projects for new decarbonisation technologies; and a "Level Playing Field" with our competitors.
Download: How do we develop and grow the world's most efficient Energy Intensive Industries? (PDF)
Andrew Raingold, Director, the Aldersgate Group, said one in three firms in environmental sector was hampered by a shortage of skilled staff. Strategic intervention by government was needed to "compliment the demand-led skills framework."
Download: Skills for a low carbon future, Andrew Raingold (PDF)
Graham Petersen, University and College Union Environmental Co-ordinator, outlined the work of the Greener Jobs Alliance. The Project supports sustainability skills in Merton and Wandsworth working with local college, trades union council, schools, employers, campaign groups and councils. To support this work, strategic interventions are needed at government and local government level.
Download: Skills for a low carbon future, Graham Petersen (PDF)
Ed Matthew, Director of the Energy Bill Revolution, argued that the Government should use carbon revenues to make the homes of the fuel poor super energy efficient. "Carbon recycling" would quadrupled carbon savings, generate 120K-200,000 jobs and lift 9 million households out of fuel poverty.
Download: Energy Bill Revolution (PDF)
John Sharp, Director at Innovas, is leading a TUC study on the industrial policy we need to achieve our climate change targets in energy supply, transport and energy efficiency at home and at work. Here, John presents the latest findings of the study.
Download: Green Economy Study for the TUC (PDF)
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