Message from the Chairman
The challenges we face at the start of this new year are already clear. Copenhagen has turned out a modest platform from which vital legally binding agreements need to be forged over the next 12 months. In 2010, the AG will continue to work with our members and partners to keep up the pressure on the UK government who did demonstrate considerable leadership when many were thinking of abandoning the COP 15 ship.
We look forward to hearing the way forward from Ed Miliband and business leaders at our "Capitalising on Copenhagen" reception in the middle of this month, as well as concluding our own initiative on accelerating the transition to low carbon.
With an election in the first half of the year, the AG will be keeping up the pressure for ambitious environmental policy to set the foundations for a sustainable economic recovery.
May I take this opportunity to wish all AG stakeholders a happy and successful New Year. |
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Financing the Transition
The Aldersgate Group (AG) launched Financing the Transition: a strategy to deliver carbon targets at a parliamentary reception in October last year for over two hundred people. The report argues that a more radical approach to financing low carbon projects is needed to ensure carbon targets are met.
Since publication, the AG has been lobbying specifically on the introduction of a Green Infrastructure Bank. We have been very encouraged by the commitments made in the Pre-Budget Report and by George Osborne (speech on the 9th December) and the Liberal Democrats to develop proposals with industry. The AG will continue to work with our stakeholders on this issue. |
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Low Carbon Jobs and Skills
Mind the Gap: skills for the transition to a low carbon economy was launched in November with a discussion led by a high level panel including Greg Clark MP and Lord Young of Norwood Green.
Since publication, the Aldersgate Group welcomed a new report by the Environmental Audit Committee, published on 16th December. The EAC stipulated that the skills gap represents a major barrier to the Government meeting its own low carbon targets and urged the administration to take action. |
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Base
The Aldersgate Group have become an associate partner for Base - a new event for those who want to understand how the playing field is changing, to recognise the opportunities, and to equip their businesses to flourish well into the 21st century.
For more information, see www.baseshow.co.uk |
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Looking forward to 2010
The Aldersgate Group will hit the ground running in the New Year, opening with a parliamentary reception on 13th January to discuss “Capitalising on Copenhagen. What are the implications and opportunities for UK plc?” Ed Miliband MP will provide feeback on the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, alongside high profile business leaders. |
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On 1st February (4.30pm-6pm), the Aldersgate Group will launch its third report on transitional policies on resource efficiency. This workstream has been chaired by Sir John Harman, former Chairman of the Environment Agency and the report will put forward the case for a resource efficient industrial strategy. |
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New members
The AG are delighted to welcome Willmott Dixon, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network (ESKTN) as new members. For membership enquires, please contact andrew.raingold@aldersgategroup.org.uk. |
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Job opportunity
The AG are recruiting a policy officer. For more information, visit the AG website. |
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