Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire - Stroud District Green Party

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1 Foreword by Cllr Martin Whiteside 1. LEP needs to move from a narrow focus on Gross Value Added (GVA) and therefore economic growth to building a sustainable economy that works for all' with a broader aim of developing 'value' that benefits the less well-off, protects and enhances our environment and reduces our overall carbon footprint. 2. LEP should move away from a focus on the number of jobs to the quality of jobs including aspects such as: living wage, contracts that work for people, building skills for changing needs, meaningful and rewarding work. 3. LEP needs to represent and be accountable to all stakeholders in the Gloucestershire economy, namely - residents, employees and the full range of business sizes including sole traders. This needs serious thought to develop democratic and transparent processes. Cllr Martin Whiteside Introduction Since this process proposes to frame the future of the county we believe that there are assumptions behind the current LEP process that need to be examined. We believe that unless examination of these assumptions takes place in a transparent manner the selection of the key priorities and the framing of a 2050 vision for Gloucestershire will inevitably be flawed. In light of the growing power and resources it wields we also have reservations about the decision making processes and democratic accountability of LEP. We think that: a framework of sustainability for long term strategic planning needs to be defined with explicit reference to the values that underpin it and material environmental, social and economic parameters that are its context. imagining possible future desirable and feasible situations and then working out how to get there requires the use of recognised and formal systems thinking decision making tools and techniques. This is because there is an urgent and important need to think more imaginatively and break out of current business as usual ways of thinking about what alternative futures are in fact feasible and desirable and what the options are for getting there. We think that: a systems approach to decision making inevitably leads to the exposure, examination and ultimate revaluation of the a priori assumptions of the need and importance of unrestrained economic growth without reference to the material and energy intensity and impact of such growth on the natural environment including the global climate. the model of economic growth assumed and promoted by LEP hitherto, even it were desirable, is not feasible since society and in turn economic activity (be it growth or decline) take place in and are ultimately entirely dependent on, a liveable planet and functioning natural systems. Page 1 of 6 Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire final ver01 Stroud District Green Party

2 We conclude that: ecological sustainability should be considered the categorical imperative at the beginning, middle and end of any infrastructure and economy decision making process. But also that environmental parameters are more a framework for opportunity than a constraint for the future for Gloucestershire. 1,2 Green 2050 vision for Gloucestershire Investment By 2050 a massive infrastructural investment and retrofit programme has prioritised the rapid development and transformation of three key sectors: renewable energy generation and transmission (electricity, heat and transport fuels); rethinking/localisation of transportation; and transformation/retrofit of the existing built environment and construction approaches. The industrial contribution to CO 2 emission and climate change has diminished to net zero or negative. The foundations for an overall infrastructural and social renewal have been established. A major programme of public investment and employment in these sectors has led to a rapid growth in Research & Development (R&D) in sustainable and socially useful technology and has stimulated the demand for new skills and/or training elsewhere. 3 Science, technology and innovation By 2050 long term, properly planned and funded R&D into low carbon technology, particularly in the manufacturing and construction a sector is well progressed and widely implemented. Research is focused on linking different technologies, behaviour change and our existing built environment. The transition of existing industrial enterprises, as well as the establishment of new industrial enterprises is complete: it is normal. R&D is more efficient and less wasteful since sectoral R&D is joined up in thinking with other sectors. Open source technology and open source solutions are the norm. Basic research is valued and is properly funded. Research is not generally funded or controlled by large corporations. Innovation is focused on the need to deliver sustainability while reducing overall energy production and consumption (positive energy return on energy invested). National, regional and local government investment is prioritised on sustainable industries to deliver zero waste, zero carbon and localisation of transport sector. 4 Transport and transport Infrastructure By 2050 transport policy is based on accessibility rather than mobility. It is based on the principle of equitable accessible to all people with local needs given priority over travelling greater distances. The need and want for mobility is satisfied through sustainable modes of transport and its infrastructure. The environmental impacts of each form of transport has been minimised. All transportation makes use of sustainable and replaceable resources. Degradation of community life by inappropriate transport modes is reversed and transport does not endanger users or others and, where possible, plays a role in bringing about a more healthy population. Transport planning follows a prioritisation of modes of transport to produce a sustainable transport system. Page 2 of 6 Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire final ver01 Stroud District Green Party

3 Total distance travelled has been reduced by reducing journey lengths through the encouragement, the development and retention of local facilities. The journeys made by unsustainable modes of transport, particularly by car and aeroplane have been reduced. A switch to sustainable methods of transport through transport planning based on a hierarchy of modes and demand management has taken place. The environmental impacts of each form of transport have been reduced. An integration of different sustainable modes of transport has taken place so that these forms of transport are simple and efficient, including convenient interchanges for both passengers and freight. The funding of transport is based on the polluter pays principle, using charges and taxes on transport to support the development of sustainable methods of transport. 5 Spatial planning and its environmental context By 2050 spatial and industrial planning in the county is subject to a Spatial Strategy which ensures individual planning and investment decisions add up to a county and regional plan that is socially and environmentally sustainable. Existing buildings are refurbished and brownfield sites are remediated. The transition of rural communities from commuter towns to sustainable communities is complete or well progressed. The planning system is locally and democratically accountable, not to banks or speculative financial institutions. Space for agriculture, commonly owned land and wild space has not only been retained but extended. The impact of human development on other species is minimised. The network of resilient habitats has been nurtured such that declining biodiversity has been reversed. Natural resources and the integrity of natural life-sustaining cycles in the county are only conserved but are significantly improved. Patterns of development enable all people to realise their potential and improve the quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the earth s life support systems. Infrastructure and facilities for work, social and cultural activities required by the community are preserved, protected and enhanced. Land vital for other human uses that is essential to the national and local community, such as floodplains, farmland and national parks are preserved, protected and enhanced. Land that has been made waste or degraded is remediated and regenerated. Action has been taken to substantially reduce the risk of further ecological disaster or degradation. 6 Economy, Money and Wealth By 2050 the objectives of the local and regional economy are ecological sustainability, equity and social justice, decentralisation and devolution and selfreliance with interdependence is well established. Demand for energy and raw materials is reduced. Low energy non-polluting processes based on renewable resources are favoured. Economic power is devolved to the lowest appropriate level. The 'informal' sector is supported to reduce the negative impact of the formal economy. All sections of society in Gloucestershire are liberated and empowered to meet their needs as far as possible from their own resources through activities which are socially enhancing. 7 Page 3 of 6 Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire final ver01 Stroud District Green Party

4 Taxation By 2050 Green incentives and taxes have reduced resource use, limited pollution and discouraged wasteful economic growth whilst promoting equality, decentralisation and creative patterns of work. Green taxes allow the full environmental costs to be reflected in the prices of goods. Green taxes are balanced by incentives for zero carbon and zero waste production and reductions in other taxes. Gloucestershire industrial strategy prioritises picking green winners, but is focused on what is sufficiently environmentally and socially sustainable, to deliver a sustainable economy in the long-term. There are tax and financial instrument incentives for sustainable production (industries) and consumption (behaviour). Tax incentives promote clustering of zero carbon, zero waste enterprises in new social enterprise zones:- this encourages sustainable enterprises to replicate and co-locate. Local communities have chosen their own transition paths, to become more self-reliant, reflecting local history, ecological profile and needs. The funding of transport is based on the polluter pays principle, using charges and taxes on transport to support the development of sustainable methods of transport. 8 Industry Energy, materials, waste and pollution prevention By 2050 a sustainable zero carbon industrial infrastructure has been developed as a basis for a sustainable zero carbon Gloucestershire. Industrial production minimises embodied carbon, operational carbon (including maintenance) and end-of-life carbon (waste), in part through inspiring new community and user behaviour. The Gloucestershire economy is free from a reliance on endless growth in the production of commodities and financial transactions. Industrial production is based on social needs rather than the maximisation of profit and ever increasing consumption. The economy maximises quality of life for all within both environmental limits and availability of employment. Gloucestershire has set and is achieving its own greenhouse gas emission reduction targets which are subject to rigorous accounting and verification. Industrial investment decisions are scrutinised and as necessary adjusted to ensure that businesses operate within the emissions targets set. The availability of resources and sustainable patterns of resource use are identified. Consumption of all natural resources and, in particular, non-renewable resources for which supplies are reaching the limits of availability, whether for environmental, technical, physical or political reasons, are minimised The routine use of non-renewable materials for products in which they cannot be easily be recycled for the same purpose has been phased out. The damage caused by extracting or growing natural resources for industrial use is minimised. Local Councils have established waste recovery and sorting facilities for the collection of all domestic and commercial waste to sell recovered materials to industry for recycling. This promotes waste reduction, an increase in waste recycling and saves directly on disposal costs and recovery for recycling all recyclable domestic waste. Page 4 of 6 Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire final ver01 Stroud District Green Party

5 Water companies run digestion plants to produce biogas and/or compost from organic waste from agricultural sources, sewage and municipal waste Investment to reduce carbon emissions has prioritised demand reduction and energy efficiency improvements over investment in new capacity following the hierarchy: demand reduction, energy efficiency, zero carbon (including embodied carbon), low carbon before investment in centralised energy generation such as fossil fuel and nuclear power. Industrial production follows the waste hierarchy and delivers zero waste without incineration. It is focused on waste reduction and reuse, repair and, refurbishment, high-value recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion, before down cycling (material recovery), energy-from-waste (including incineration) or landfill. The environment of Gloucestershire is continuously monitored to verify the effectiveness of industrial emissions control and reduction. Industries systematically audit and publish their use of toxic chemicals, and have made significant progress on binding timetables to reduce such use. Environmental and health considerations are given precedence over economic factors in the determination of safe levels of pollution. All public planning decisions include an environmental impact and improvement analysis. 9 Education & Employment By 2050 education provides everyone with the knowledge and full range of skills they require to participate fully in society and lead a fulfilled life. The market driven model of education that sees the role of education only in terms of international economic competitiveness and preparation for work is consigned to history. The education system nurtures a desire to learn throughout life. Non-standard career structures are normal, including movement between disciplines and entry and re-entry into research from other activities. Meaningful employment and a life of dignity and modest comfort for all is assured New green jobs have been created by prioritising development of sustainable rural livelihoods and locally sustainable enterprises The major programme of public investment and employment in targeted sectors has led to a rapid growth in R&D in sustainable and socially useful technology and has stimulated the demand for new skills and/or training elsewhere. 10 Page 5 of 6 Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire final ver01 Stroud District Green Party

6 References 1. LEP - Strategic Economic Plan: 2. Walker, P. and Martin, S. (2000) The Natural Step: A Framework for Sustainability, A Training Manual, The Natural Step UK Ltd. 3. Industry policy statements IN504, IN505, IN506 and IN Industry policy statements IN309, IN310, IN124. Science and technology policy statement - ST210, ST211,ST 212 and ST Transport policy statements TR010, TR11 & TR Transport policy statements. Local planning policy statement LP201- LP203. Industry policy statements. Economic policy statement EC200-EC Economic policy statements EC200-EC Industry policy statements IN405, IN406, IN409, IN420 and IN507, Transport policy statements TR010, TR11 & TR Industry policy statement IN202, IN203, IN501, IN502. IN503, IN407, IN300, NR301, NR302. Natural Resources policy statement NR303, NR Pollution Policy Statements PL301-PL Education policy statements ED010, ED011. Science and technology policy statements ST250, ST251. Industry policy statements IN214, IN201, IN504, IN505, IN506 and IN507 Compiled by C Jockel Foreward by Cllr Martin Whiteside Edited by Kiera Jones Page 6 of 6 Green 2050 Vision for Gloucestershire final ver01 Stroud District Green Party