The Aldersgate Group commends the Conservatives' commitment to create Britain's first Green Investment Bank, announced by Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne MP today.

If sufficiently ambitious in scale, this will help the UK increase its share of the global environmental markets while ensuring it remains a hub for low carbon technology finance.

The UK must adopt an industrial strategy which goes ‘beyond carbon’ to address critical resource efficiency challenges in all areas of the economy if it is to maintain employment and a competitive, sustainable advantage in global markets, now and in the future (see reports section of the website for the full document).

Media coverage includes:

uk.reuters.com
www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk
www.edie.net
www.independent.co.uk

These case studies are the unedited versions of the three examples given in the Aldersgate Group's latest report, 'Beyond Carbon'. As such they contain further discussion on the themes of the report and more  suggested solutions.

These views are the product of working groups, convened for three roundtable events. They therefore do not represent the views of the Aldersgate Group, any one individual or organisation. The case studies are intended to provoke thought and discussion.

At the launch of the Aldersgate Group's report, "Beyond Carbon", Professor Ekins presented the following slides to the audience.

At the launch of the Aldersgate Group's report, "Beyond Carbon", Dr Eduljee presented the following slides to the audience.

The Aldersgate Group's work on mandatory carbon reporting was publicly acknowledged at a recent hearing of the Environmental Audit Committee (26th January 2010) by Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He noted that, "one of the things that’s been quite striking in the UK has been the movement within the corporate sector to report – I’m thinking of the Aldersgate Group."

On 8th January 2010 the Group sent a letter to Lord Mandelson which was copied to Mr Benn, calling for mandatory reporting for all large UK organisations, in order to secure greater accountability and transparency.

To view: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5713

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment and Climate Change, has hinted that mandatory carbon reporting for UK business could be brought in before 2012, he told the Aldersgate Group.

www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk

Reflecting on the outcome of Copenhagen, the Energy and Climate secretary told the Aldersgate Group that UK is determined to deliver the changes needed to transition to a low carbon economy.

www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk

UN talks in Mexico at the end of this year are likely to produce the legally binding climate change treaty that eluded negotiators in Copenhagen, the UK’s climate change secretary of state informed the Aldersgate Group.

www.environmental-finance.com

The Aldersgate Group has written an open letter to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, calling for greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting to be made mandatory for all large UK organisations as soon as possible.

Over 50 MPs, including Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Conservative Shadow Climate Change Minister Greg Barker MP, have signed the letter, along with a diverse range of organisations including Aviva, BSkyB, The Cooperative, Barratt Homes, National Grid, United Utilities, BIFFA, Friends of the Earth, WWF and Reed Elsevier.

www.edie.net

Policy Officer

Full time, permanent position following successful completion of 3 months probation, starting March 2010 on salary of £20-25k (dependent upon experience)

The Aldersgate Group (AG) is a small, highly influential membership organisation which believes that high environmental standards will play a major part in future economic growth and international competitiveness.

We seek to engage the Government and the private sector in a productive, ongoing dialogue to encourage and support the transition to a low carbon economy.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual educated to degree standard in a relevant discipline. You should have excellent written and oral communication skills, a sound understanding of environmental issues and policy making process and a desire to contribute to the domestic green agenda.

To apply send a covering letter and CV to Victoria: vfwilliams@aldersgategroup.org.uk. The closing date for applications is midday, Monday 25th January 2010. Interviews will be held in the first week of February.