Regeneration must be Green, and must be local

The twin challenges the economy faces over the next decade or two are the environmental challenge and the challenge of regeneration of communities still suffering from the problems of de-industrialisation.  At a time when the progress of the last decade has been undermined by the recession, rising fuel costs are pushing more households into fuel poverty, increased petrol and diesel costs and rising insurance premiums push people into transport poverty, and welfare reform  will leave many struggling to even keep a roof on their head.

Historically environmental concerns and the need for economic growth in deprived communities have been seen as mutually exclusive goals (growth being seen as something that damages the environment, but essential for regeneration), over recent years the two agenda’s have come together. For example; our Green Jobs and Justice report suggests ways in which moving to a low carbon economy can be done without harming jobs, and can even be used to further community development. Similarly, the heads of the valleys low carbon programme aims to develop the valleys as an industry hub for low carbon technologies, specialising in home insulation.

This is why the latest contribution to the debate is welcome. Leanne Wood’s Greenprint for the valleys also aims to merge the twin agendas of environmental sustainability and economic development. These days, ideas about economic development for the valleys seem to be published quite frequently, and sometimes take on an ‘orientalist’ perspective that sees people living in the valleys as passive and waiting for things to be done. However this contribution does not, it specifically starts from the idea that the valleys contain large numbers of people unable to commute to Cardiff, and thus local jobs are going to be essential. It advocates, amongst other things, that public sector contracts become tailor made for local enterprises, tax incentives offered for meeting carbon reduction targets, and further development of insulation and micro generation technologies. It also specifically recognises that local action is going to be key to the success of the operation.

Massive industrial change in the past have usually left ordinary workers, families and their communities to bear the brunt. This is why it is essential that the move to a low carbon economy is managed with a focus on social justice and renewing communities not destroying them. The move to a low carbon economy can either be done by ourselves in a manner of our choice, or it will be forced upon us by factors outside of our control. All the progress on fuel poverty has been undermined by higher energy prices and loss of income, and rising transport costs are making commuting even more unsustainable. So coming up with alternative solutions to the twin and linked problems of poverty and environmental destruction is becoming ever more essential.