Midlands Engine partners unite: Shared vision launches for urgent Green Growth action to accelerate economic and environmental recovery

The Midlands Engine today (01 July) launches its Ten Point Plan for Green Growth, as the pan regional partnership urgently looks to drive economic and environmental recovery in the wake of COVID-19.

The Plan has been produced and will be implemented in collaboration with over 300 partners and stakeholders from across the region, including Siemens Energy, the Energy Research Accelerator, EDF Energy, the National Trust, Toyota, Cadent Gas, Make UK and Cenex.

The Plan is the first time a unified vision has been proposed for the Midlands to deliver a greener future for its communities and address the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, which are predicted to be felt the deepest in the region.

The Plan also aims to support the Government’s own Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution released in November last year.

By advancing the Plan, the Midlands is committing to deliver a 36% reduction in CO2 emissions from current regional levels, while also creating 196,000 high-value, high-skill jobs to boost productivity and generate a further £24.2 billion GVA for the region’s economy – by 2041.

The Midlands is already a leading location for Green Growth, with pace gathering around rich and diverse specialisms in low carbon energy based on historic sector strengths, wide-ranging natural assets, and ever-more-urgent needs and opportunities.

The Ten Point Plan, which is mapped against the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, provides the focus to maximise this potential.

It complements the work Midlands Engine partners are already carrying out to advance Green Growth, and co-develop and deliver new innovations and opportunities in support of the shift to a low carbon economy.

Sir John Peace, Chairman, Midlands Engine:

Right now, the low carbon energy transformation and active steps to harness and grow natural capital are creating exceptional opportunities for sustainable recovery and growth in the Midlands. Our Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine sets out how we will translate opportunity into reality, securing success through the power of partnership – driving economic and environmental impact at scale in every part of our region.

Our partners across the Midlands are already leading in, and will remain at the heart of, the UK’s Green Industrial Revolution. In co-authoring our Plan, with shared commitments for delivery together, our partners agree: now is the time to stand together, to act in concert and accelerate our impact, together.

The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Midlands Engine Champion:

At the heart of economic recovery and levelling up in the Midlands is net zero growth. This will require urgent, collective action across many areas and these are now, thanks to the collaborative work of more than 300 voices from across the Midlands, prioritised in this regional Ten Point Plan for Green Growth across the Midlands Engine.

This Plan is the key to the Midlands Engine unlocking potential and driving the actions that will benefit communities, businesses and the natural environment in every part of our region.

Sally Brewis, Head of Regional Development, Cadent Gas Ltd:

We are collaborating with other Green Growth Partners to create our plans in support of actions outlined in this Plan. We see huge potential for creating low carbon hydrogen production clusters in the Midlands helping to decarbonise homes and businesses. This, in turn, will help support innovation and Green Growth.

Steve Scrimshaw, Vice President, Siemens Energy UK&I:

We are delighted to be involved in and support the Midlands Engine Partnership in this Green Growth agenda and look forward to working with colleagues in the mobilisation and delivery of an ambitious Ten Point Plan, a plan that aims to benefit all parts of the Midlands as we accelerate programmes and initiatives to reach net zero.

Midlands business and local government leaders, parliamentarians, academics and conservation specialists will now work together, through the Midlands Engine Partnership, to mobilise action and implement the Ten Point Plan.

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