What next after the Green Investment Bank?

By Mark Goldstone, the Chamber's head of business representation and policy

In 2011 the city region came together in a united effort to secure the Green Investment Bank, sadly despite what was a compelling offer we lost out to Edinburgh and London.  At the time of the announcement I said that we had created networks that didn’t exist previously, that we would be looking to ensure the bank was a commercial success and that this region benefited from investment being made available. So what has happened since the announcement?

The Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership has now been established its Green Economy Panel to provide leadership and a dynamic approach to the LEP Board’s aspirations of achieving a low carbon economy. The board has been appointed and includes Richard Goodfellow from Addleshaw Goddard and Joanne Pollard from CO2 Sense Yorkshire both of whom were instrumental in bringing the GIB together; the board is chaired by Paul Hamer, CEO of WYG plc and another big supporter of the bid. Early actions will include assembling an investment pipeline of projects and establishing a green business support network; other initiatives are being developed.

The GIB campaign really demonstrated the strength and desire of members to want to be involved in this new economy which is why the Chamber has become on of the key partners of Base Leeds City Region. Base events are for cities and regions which have an energy and ambition to retrofit and refurbish their cities and infrastructure and - importantly - understand the key role the private sector has to play in this. They act as a bridge between public sector policy and private sector opportunity and shine a light on current and planned activities that offer the greatest and most immediate dividends and are characterised by practical, relevant and pithy content as well as inspirational case studies from both within and outside the region and country.  More information can be found here

The Chamber is also working with Eco-Connect on a programme of events taking place in Leeds and covering such topics as Green Finance and Low Carbon Technology. The first event is scheduled for July 10^th, further details to follow.

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