Dear Leaders
My own comments in blue.
The overriding priority of the WMCA’s 52-page Annual Business Plan
2023 – 2024 is economic growth: “Support more of the region’s
businesses to be resilient and grow faster “. The Business Plan also
includes plans for progress to achieve Net Zero: “The Industrial Energy
Taskforce will deliver its final report, and new programs for industrial
decarbonisation will be launched.”
The overriding priority of the WMCA’s 52-page Annual Business Plan
2023 – 2024 is economic growth: “Support more of the region’s
businesses to be resilient and grow faster “. The Business Plan also
includes plans for progress to achieve Net Zero: “The Industrial Energy
Taskforce will deliver its final report, and new programs for industrial
decarbonisation will be launched.”
Five years have gone by and we do not know what "industrial decarbonisation" has actually been done. No case examples.
But what the Business Plan doesn’t provide any information about is
which are the sectors of the WM economy which are most damaging to
the environment? Very important question. For me, it is the WMCA's love of building grossly extravagant, wealth-flaunting and totally unnecessary transport projects to prove they are actually climate deniers.
And within them which are the companies which are
most responsible for it? They themselves are most responsible for it - the WMCA, which is completely out of its depth to even know where to start.
most responsible for it? They themselves are most responsible for it - the WMCA, which is completely out of its depth to even know where to start.
In particular, which businesses are the biggest
polluters and what do they need to do to achieve Net Zero? GOOD QUESTION. I think net zero is pretty meaningless and, in five years, the WMCA has nothing to show. What GHG are spewed out cannot possibly be absorbed and buried in the ground. For one thing, there is simply not enough land to plant trees to sequester all the CO2.
polluters and what do they need to do to achieve Net Zero? GOOD QUESTION. I think net zero is pretty meaningless and, in five years, the WMCA has nothing to show. What GHG are spewed out cannot possibly be absorbed and buried in the ground. For one thing, there is simply not enough land to plant trees to sequester all the CO2.
According to the Office for National Statistics (December 2023) around one in five
workers living in the West Midlands were employed in the UK’s highest-
emitting industries in 2021. Two key business sectors to focus on are
manufacturing which represents 16% of the WM economy and
construction comprising 7%. Both sectors need to get to grips with our ten Climate Action Points as their top priority.
emitting industries in 2021. Two key business sectors to focus on are
manufacturing which represents 16% of the WM economy and
construction comprising 7%. Both sectors need to get to grips with our ten Climate Action Points as their top priority.
In that context some high-polluting companies may well be making
significant progress towards Net Zero, but many may be making little or
none. What are they doing for their significant progress towards net zero? I would love to know!
significant progress towards Net Zero, but many may be making little or
none. What are they doing for their significant progress towards net zero? I would love to know!
The West Midlands Chambers of Commerce’s new report “A Roadmap
for Business Growth” provides the following information about “The
Seismic Shift: Net Zero”: “42% of firms were expected to increase their
investment in regard to reducing their carbon footprint over the next 12
months”. By doing what, exactly may I ask?
Of course, it is positive that many companies are taking net zero
measures (what measures?), but there is no indication of how effective those measures will
be in reducing their carbon footprint, and it is very concerning that 58%
are not planning to increase their investment in zero carbon measures. YES!
The West Midlands Climate Coalition believes that the people of the
West Midlands have the right to know what businesses in the West
Midlands are doing about Net Zero, and what more they need to be
doing. We need much more information.
The WMCC therefore requests that the WMCA produces a public
analysis of the businesses in the West Midlands, especially the larger
ones, in terms of how much damage they do to the climate, the
environment and public well-being, including their own
workforce. Yes. Very important.
That needs breaking down further: carbon emissions in terms of the
production process itself, the raw materials used, and the use of the
product. The Net Zero aim should be to shift production to less
environmentally damaging production processes and products while
protecting jobs. Get the jobs by implementing our Action Points and my suggestions. Shift to solar power and simpler living, as my wife and I have done, to give £20 monthly energy bills (2 adults) and my home is a mini power station making lots of electricity for the grid. 48,000 kWh in the first 10 years. LIVE SIMPLY SO THAT OTHERS MAY SIMPLY LIVE - future generations and the migrating northwards Global South who all want a share of the action/riches instead of poverty, suffering, war, environmental degradation ...
And it should be situated in the context of the expanding national and
international debate about growth and degrowth in the economy. Deep green growth is rather essential, as taught by many economists. Get reading and learning and acting.
These are only some first steps in the detailed analysis of the economy
of the West Midlands in relation to Net Zero that the WMCA should carry
out and make public. The citizens of the West Midlands have a right to
know. MOST DEFINITELY.
of the West Midlands in relation to Net Zero that the WMCA should carry
out and make public. The citizens of the West Midlands have a right to
know. MOST DEFINITELY.
Tim Weller
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