He was speaking as the Government published the UK Low Carbon Transition Plans aimed at converting the UK onto a permanent low carbon footing and simultaneously grab maximum economic benefit.
The Plan is the most systematic response to climate change of any major developed economy, and sets the standard for others in the run up to crucial global climate talks in Copenhagen in December. It plots out how a 34% reduction in emissions will be achieved by 2020 on 1990 levels. 21% has already been delivered, on the way to an 80% cut by 2050.
The Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, published alongside the Transition Plan, presents a series of active government interventions to help business harness this opportunity, and to put workers and businesses in the UK at the forefront of massive global opportunity.
Energy and Climate Change Minister, David Kidney said:
“The Transition Plan is a route map to a low carbon country, future proofing our kids’ way of life. The UK will be the first major economy to convert to low carbon living, and the first to reap the benefits.
“As a world leader in cutting edge technology the West Midlands needs to harness its legacy of ingenuity and entrepreneurship to play a role in the shift to low carbon. The region can play a key role in this transition as a hub for low carbon manufacture, innovation and transport.”
The West Midlands low carbon economy accounts for some £8.4 billion of the region’s economy, comprising 4,179 companies with around 74,000 employees. Despite the economic downturn the sector is expected to grow by around 4% in the next year and employment in green industries by up to 45% to 2015.
The UK Climate Projections published last month show that if we don’t take action by 2080 the temperature for the hottest day of the year in the West Midlands could increase by a scorching 100 C by 2080 and even by 2040 there could be 11 per cent less rainfall in the summer leading to subsidence, lower crop yields and water stress.
Minister for the West Midlands, Ian Austin, said:
“The UK Low Carbon Transition Plans provide us in the West Midlands with a great opportunity to be at the leading edge of the low carbon economy. With our strengths in manufacturing, research and development, we can lead the way in the new green technologies of the future and bring new jobs and greater prosperity to the region.”
Notes to editors
1. An example of the ground breaking work in the West Midlands is the £80 million Low-carbon Vehicles Programme. This innovative programme supports West Midlands automotive companies to conduct further research and development into low carbon vehicle technologies. Advantage West Midlands has contributed £30 Million and with additional support from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR),this will create a Low Carbon Vehicle Development and Proving Centre which will link high tech research with manufacturing. It will have a particular emphasis in developing new drive trains and lightweight structures and will link up with similar programmes elsewhere in the UK. It will also build on similar, successful programmes such as the Premium Automotive R&D programme based at Warwick University and the £12.5 million Centre of Excellence in Lightweight Vehicle Technologies announced earlier this summer.
2. The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan plots out how the UK will meet its cut in emissions of 34% on 1990 levels by 2020. A 21% reduction has already been delivered, leaving 13% - to achieve over the next 11 years. This will mean that:
- More than 1.2 million people will be in green jobs;
- 7 million homes will have benefited from whole house makeovers, and more than 1.5 million households will be supported to produce their own clean energy
- 40% of electricity will be from low carbon sources, from renewables, new nuclear and clean coal;
- We will be importing half the amount of gas that we otherwise would.
- The average new car will emit 40% less carbon than now.
3. The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, puts workers and businesses in the UK at the forefront of massive global opportunity by targeting key industries and regions where the UK has competitive or commercial advantage. This includes the first allocations from the £405m funding for green industry and technology announced in the Budget.
4. Also published today are the Renewable Energy Strategy which maps out how we will deliver the UK’s target of getting 15% of all energy (electricity, heat and transport) from renewables by 2020, and Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future which will set out how to reduce Carbon emissions from domestic transport by up to 14% over the next decade.
5. An online news hub will be updated throughout the day with content from BIS, DECC and DfT. This will include photographs, videos, podcasts, core facts and links to all publications at www.hmg.gov.uk/lowcarbon
6. The UK Climate Projections published in June set out the severe weather changes the UK should expect if action is not taken at home and internationally to cut greenhouse gas emissions. To read more visit: www.ukcp09.defra.gov.uk
7. To limit global temperature increases to no more than two degrees and avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change, the Government is leading international efforts to achieve a new international climate agreement at Copenhagen in December. To read more visit: www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk
8. The Government has a Five Point Plan to prepare for and prevent climate change. To read more visit the “Tackling Climate Change” pages at: www.decc.gov.uk