The
government‟s bail-out of the banking system and the worst recession in
a generation have caused local businesses and Local Authorities to
radically rethink what the local economy will look like in the years
ahead. Work commissioned by the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Multi
Area Agreement (MAA) Partnership proposes the „Green Knowledge Economy‟
as a 21st century route to economic prosperity for the area.
The
three local authorities (Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole) have met with
the private sector to review the economic potential of the area and to
look at how greater public – private co-operation could bring about a
step change in the local economy.
Already, many small businesses
trade in green goods and services, ranging from eco-tourism, water
saving devices and energy consultancies which sell their know-how.
However, with the increasing importance of Sustainable Development, and
the pressing need to move to a Low Carbon Economy, the sector is set to
expand locally, nationally and internationally, with many countries now
setting stringent carbon dioxide emissions targets.
Following the
signing of the MAA last July (the first in the country and the only one
to have an environment theme), the board, which comprises local
business leaders and Council Leaders, has been considering plans to
promote the economy based on five themes:
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The
environment has evolved into the overarching theme, with the concept of
the „Green Knowledge Economy‟ linking the others together.
Representatives from business, Local Authorities and educational
institutions have joined up to plan how to make the most of the
opportunities presented by the „Green Knowledge Economy‟.
Councilor
Stephen MacLoughlin, Leader of Bournemouth Council, said, „The time is
right for us in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole to plan for the recovery
by looking at new areas of business in order to improve the prospects
for local people, especially our youngsters who are entering the job
market for the first time. As preparations are made for the
inter-governmental Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in December,
it is obvious that we also need to plan for a sustainable future. The
work done on developing a local Green Knowledge Economy brings these
two things together.‟
Professor Mark Hepworth of Geoeconomics, the research and strategy company
specialising in sustainable economic development, explained; “The work we have
done on the „Green Knowledge Economy‟ has identified four areas of economic
opportunity and fresh policy initiatives; Green Built Environment; Green Business
Innovation; Natural Capital; and Creative and Cultural Industries. The MAA meeting was very positive. Suggestions included massively increasing the amount of solar
electrical power generation (photovoltaics) which takes advantage of the exceptional
amount of sunlight we enjoy in this part of the country. This one suggestion alone could create many new jobs in the design, manufacture and installation of photovoltaic cells for thousands of homes. A range of different skills will be needed
from graduates to trades people who are up to date with the latest techniques.”
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