THE Government needs to set a clear long term strategic direction if Yorkshire's green economy is to flourish, according to experts who took part in a discussion hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com in partnership with DLA Piper.

The round table discussion also saw debate about the contribution of nuclear to the future energy mix and the role of the planning system.

But there was wide agreement for the need for Ministers to offer a stronger lead in this area.

Ian Farquhar, managing director of Huddersfield-based manufacturer David Brown, said: "We need stability around subsidies and policy.

"Businesses are committing investment for 20/25 years so they have to know what the revenue streams and demand will look like."

"Business tends to look at these gaps as opportunities and then to create new business out of that.

"The more we can encourage new technology and new efficiency, that can make a very big difference in the overall market."

It was felt that the Yorkshire region had the expertise and resources to capitalise on the moves to a green economy.

Nick Tovey, chairman of the Sheffield City Region low carbon group, said: The role of nuclear in the energy mix has taken on a fresh sensitivity in the wake of the Japanese experience following last year's tsunami.

Teresa Hitchcock, DLA Piper's head of safety, health and environment, said: "We met with high ranking officials in Japan to talk about nuclear Japan post Fukishima.

"Ultimately the debate came down to: if we need nuclear energy and cannot fill the gaps without it, it has to be nuclear energy."

A full report of the round table discussion can be found in a new free supplement on "The Green Economy" from TheBusinessDesk.com in partnership with DLA Piper. Click here to read more stories in this series and to download the supplement.