We want a secure and stable economy that meets people's needs without
damaging the environment. Our economy is dangerously dependent on oil
and gas. In our race for world trade, real wages can fall and social and
environmental standards drop. Supporting our local economy strengthens
self-reliance and ensures local needs are met. Investing in energy
conservation and sustainable developments boosts our green industries.

In Sheffield

Instead of a City Strategy driven by the interests of big companies, we need a strong, locally-owned market economy of small enterprises, ethically run,
more environmentally-friendly and geared to meeting the needs of local
communities.

The Green Party has:

• Supported local shops and sustainable businesses, post offices, community facilities.
• Supported Fairtrade initiatives.
• Challenged the City and Regional economic strategies for being unsustainable, short-term and divisive.
• Exposed the full costs of the Council's support for wasteful projects like road and airport expansion.

Our local Green Party members will:

• Support social enterprises and the local economy through buying local goods and services.
• Encourage local business start-ups

Our Green Councillors have:

• Opposed developments, such as the Super Casino and the New Retail Quarter, that are not in the interest of small local businesses.
• Campaigned for wind turbines to be made here using local engineering expertise.
• Pushed for regeneration money to be invested in sustainable local development.

Our Green Councillors will:

• Press the Council and other local institutions to support social enterprises and the local economy by buying local goods and services.
• Encourage local business start-ups.
• Campaign for the spread of Fairtrade as best practice across the public and voluntary sector in the city.
• Urge creation of more green technology enterprises in the city using local engineering expertise.
• Request Council support for local businesses pushed out by inward investment