The 2024 Convention for the Western Gateway brought together over 600 business, academic, Government and local authority leaders from across South Wales and Western England and beyond to launch Our Plan for Sustainable Growth. With the potential to double the size of our economy by 2050, we have been predicted to become the fastest growing economy outside of London if we can continue to collaborate across borders. 📈 One of the sessions at our convention, lead by Turley, was focused on how we can overcome the challenges to decarbonise our industrial clusters in the West of England and South Wales to protect jobs, spark innovation and secure a brighter future for our communities. With South Wales Industrial Cluster, West of England Industrial Cluster and Net Zero Industry Wales all taking part, this session brought together the key people needed to discuss how we put this ambition into action. Thanks to Turley for the excellent write up below!
The industrial clusters bring significant opportunities in the transition to net zero. During a roundtable discussion we hosted earlier this Autumn at the Western Gateway convention, we explored the barriers South Wales Industrial Cluster, West of England Industrial Cluster and Net Zero Industry Wales are facing together with cluster leads and key stakeholders in the region. We have identified the six top barriers impacting the industrial clusters and delivery of net zero infrastructure projects in the South West of England and Wales. How do we tackle them? Read our latest article to understand our perspective on solutions: https://lnkd.in/e6gVzgqk The six barriers: 1. Investment to support ambition 2. Planning, policy and partnerships 3. Inefficiency, repetition and closed conversations 4. Skills and resource 5. Sentiment and public acceptance 6. Spatial understanding of available land, energy use and needs #NetZeroInfastructure #Sustainability #IndustrialClusters #WesternGateway Nicola Riley | Emily Bell | Jadine Berry
Deputy Director for Innovation and Industrial Transformation, DG Economy (All opinions expressed are MY OWN)
3moI lead cluster development in SG. Are there any learnings from you that we can harvest? A knowledge sharing exercise of clusters across the UK would be beneficial. Instead of competing we should collaborate...