The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) has played a vital role in the development of the Midlands Engine’s ‘Ten Point Plan for Green Growth’ which was launched today.

The Ten Point Plan for Green Growth sets out a strategic plan to accelerate the Midlands and UK towards net-zero. It presents a pathway for converting opportunities into reality and driving economic and environmental impact in all parts of the Midlands.

Through the plan, the Midlands is aiming 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 Plan marks 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. It also aims to support the Government’s own Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution released in November last year.

ERA led on the consultation for the energy aspects of the plan, arranging several workshops with partners from industry, academia and the public and civic sectors. From these consultations, and other evidence of regional strengths, ERA was able to identify a number of energy related opportunities and priorities for the Midlands.

These opportunities range from green buildings to net-zero transport, clean hydrogen to smart energy, and also the enablers to make low and net-zero energy a reality, such as supporting innovation, developing skills and ensuring the availability of finance for green initiatives.

Commenting on the Green Growth plan, Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Energy Research Accelerator, said: “The Energy Research Accelerator was delighted to be able to support the engagement and consultation process and the shaping of the Midlands Engine’s Ten Point Plan for Green Growth.

“The plan will help to set the regional priorities for the Midlands to drive towards net-zero and support the Government’s ambitions. It establishes a platform to facilitate the development of new industrial cleantech sectors, which will deliver regional jobs and growth. We are very much looking forward to working with the Midlands Engine and partners to help deliver it.”

Speaking about the plan, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Midlands Engine Champion, said: “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.”

The details of the Midlands Engine’s Green Ten Point Plan for Green Growth will be communicated through a programme of events, seminars and workshops over the summer and autumn. The full plan and further details can be found here.

To find out more about the Energy Research Accelerator, visit www.era.ac.uk

ENDS

For more information about this press release, please contact Nick King, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Energy Research Accelerator, on nick.king@era.ac.uk, or tel: 07974 690632

About the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)
ERA consists of the partner universities of Midlands Innovation (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick), and also the British Geological Survey (BGS). ERA aims to harness the Midlands’ combined research excellence and industry expertise to play a critical role in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the UK.

Via Innovate UK, the government committed an initial capital investment of £60m, and ERA has secured additional co-investment of £120m. This has been invested in 23 state of the art facilities which are being used by university and industrial researchers to develop new energy innovations.