Birmingham City Council to be part of global "green business" challenge
BIRMINGHAM City Council has been chosen as one of the first UK local authorities to take part in an international initiative to encourage business-driven solutions to climate change.
Green Capital – Global Challenge was launched by The Carbon War Room in Washington DC this week to get substantial private-sector money flowing into energy efficiency and renewable generation projects in cities.
Backed by Sir Richard Branson, the challenge will see Birmingham City Council be in the first tranche of 15 authorities across the USA, Canada and Europe to share their expertise and draw up a strategic plan to access private sector money.
Sandy Taylor, Birmingham City Council’s head of climate change and sustainability, said it was hoped that new partnerships could be forged that will enable the authority to continue with its green initiatives.
“We are determined to address the issue of climate change and take advantage of the business opportunities that the emerging green sector offers for the city,” he said.
“This is a unique opportunity for Birmingham and its local businesses to serve as a catalysing force for reducing carbon emissions to improve the quality of life.
“We recognise that the Green Capital – Global Challenge represents the kind of leadership our citizens expect from us in this area. We believe participating can help deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to citizens of many cities, including our own.”
The Carbon War Room, co-founded by Sir Richard Branson, is a non-profit organisation that works with entrepreneurs to implement market-driven solutions to climate change.
Sir Richard said it was crucial that local authorities worked with business to tackle issues of sustainability.
“In this time of uncertainty around the ability and resolve of governments to lead the planet to low-carbon prosperity, it is up to businesses and cities to step up and assume responsibility,” he added.
Peter Boyd, director of operations of the Carbon War Room, said he had been inspired by the quality of the nominations to take part in the initiative.
“We will be working hard alongside the first wave of cities to help connect them with the private capital they need to improve energy efficiency of their buildings, and create jobs in their cities,” he said.
Launched by the Carbon War Room during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Green Capital – Global Challenge is a two year programme to find finance and resources for city-led energy efficiency initiatives.
A review of results will be held in London, which is the only other UK city to be involved in the first round of the challenge, during the summer of 2012.
Jigar Shah, CEO of the Carbon War Room, said Birmingham was chosen because of its pioneering sustainability vision.
“They cannot do it on their own,” he said. “The Carbon War Room is committed to working with them to create the mechanisms that will allow cities and the private sector to work together to make these visions a reality.”
Birmingham’s involvement comes on the back of recent progress including the launch of the city’s Climate Change Action Plan last month, its Green New Deal for the retro-fitting of homes in January 2010 and a Declaration on Climate Change, which was launched in December last year.
The other cities set to be involved are Atlanta, Babylon (New York), Burlington (Vermont), Charleston (South Carolina), Chicago, Gainesville (Florida), New York City, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Washington D.C., Toronto, Vancouver and Copenhagen.
