Birmingham welcomes investment in a Green Economy (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Birmingham welcomes investment in a Green Economy

June 17, 2010 9:39 PM

The new Government's commitment to developing a green economy and increasing energy efficiency measures has been welcomed by Birmingham Lib Dems. Cllr Paul Tilsley proposed a motion at a recent meeting of Birmingham City Council.

Birmingham Lib Dems have welcomed the new Government's commitment to developing a green economy, even while the deficit is being addressed. "The greening of our economy is a key issue for the Lib Dems," said Councillor Roger Harmer. Investment in a green economy, and a significant increase in energy efficiency measures for homes and businesses, was welcomed in a motion proposed by Lib Dem councillors at a recent meeting of Birmingham City Council.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Harmer pointed out how the ability to maintain relatively cheap oil as the basis for economic growth has come to an end. The current sad events in the Gulf of Mexico show the limits to oil's availability all too clearly. Unless we create an economy that needs far less oil (and other resources) we will be vulnerable to years of stagflation (inflation and low growth) as oil becomes progressively more expensive.

The Lib Dem motion adopted by Birmingham City Council at its meeting on Tuesday 15 June 2010 said:

"This Council congratulates the incoming Government for putting the environment & sustainability at the top of its agenda. Council welcomes the introduction of an Energy Bill into this session of Parliament which seeks to provide a step change in the provision of energy efficiency measures to homes and business and put in place a framework to deliver low carbon energy supplies and fair competition in the energy markets.

"Council notes that current Government objectives are in accord with the views expressed at the Liberal Democrat spring conference held in Birmingham that called on all local councils to stimulate green initiatives providing employment and reducing energy use, including purchasing electric and LPG vehicles, using renewable electricity, reducing energy consumption in council and residential buildings and developing low-carbon communities, which were all contained in the Birmingham Declaration passed by this Council in December 2009.

"Council welcomes the work being undertaken to cut the budget deficit and believes that developing a green economy is vital, despite the importance of curbing Labour's fiscal excesses."