We’re best placed for the green switchover
HALTON is one of the places most likely to benefit from switching to a green economy according to a think tank review.
The Social Market Foundation’s (SMF) Zeroing In report ranked the borough third in a table of areas best positioned to take advantage of decarbonisation as global efforts galvanise towards preventing the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
Neighbouring Knowsley was top, out of the 362 areas covered.
Boroughs were ranked based on five factors deemed key:
● proximity to the nearest renewable energy construction site
● the nearest decarbonisation industrial cluster
● percentage of jobs in electric vehicle and low carbon heat roles
● number of NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications
● close distance to the nearest top 20 universities for science and engineering research.
Cheshire East was ranked at seventh place, meaning the North West occupied three slots in the top 10: more than any other single region.
Wirral was in 12th place, Sefton 13th and St Helens at number 19, meaning the Liverpool City Region alone had five boroughs in the top 20.
The area is also expected to benefit from a drive towards making homes more environmentally friendly.
The report said: “Steps are already being undertaken to decarbonise the North West’s housing stock.
“For example, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and its industry partners recently announced plans to build or retrofit more than 16,000 homes as part of its drive to slash carbon emissions.
“Using so-called modern methods of construction (MMC), over the next decade the programme will aim to retrofit 10,000 homes across the city region and build a further 6,500 homes.
“All the work will be done with the aim of slashing carbon emissions.’’
The report continued: “It will also be an opportunity to create a new skilled workforce.
“The announcement marked the beginning of the first phase of the Liverpool City Region National Centre of Excellence in Modern Methods of Construction for Homes project.
“It is one of the key projects in the city region’s £9bn Building Back Better economic recovery plan.”