Draft Set of proposals to the Green New Deal Conference

NB: These remain a draft set of proposals presented to the SCACC Green New Deal Conference

28 February 2009

A Green New Deal should make a major contribution to a socially just and more sustainable world.

Nationally the Green Party proposes massive investment in renewable energy and a wider environmental transformation, leading to the creation of thousands of jobs. As a local party we want to explore what powers are available to councils to implement a local Green New Deal.

We offer these ideas as our understanding of what a Green New Deal could mean in our local context, but these may be applicable elsewhere. Comments will be welcomed at the Open Space discussion slot.

We welcome the LGA report “Creating Green Jobs” and the UNEP “Green Jobs in a Sustainable Low Carbon World” for demonstrating how greening our local economy could provide sustainable job growth. We welcome the Centre for Cities report “Cities Outlook 2009” for demonstrating that cities that forge effective transport and economic links with surrounding towns have greater prosperity; and for showing the link between fuel poverty, social and economic deprivation, and higher C02 emissions.We welcome the projected Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) but argue that its boundaries should recognise Sheffield as the hub within a city region which could include Chesterfield and Worksop. The Economic Prosperity Board as proposed in a parliamentary Bill should use the same boundaries as the ITA and should incorporate a core duty of sustainability.We believe that the slump must lead to the Council radically changing its City Centre Masterplan.

We further suggest that the Council provides or promotes:

1. A dedicated in-house unit in partnership with our universities, Creative Sheffield, and local business, to promote investment in sustainable technologies throughout the city, including low-carbon transport and renewable energy networks. It should seek increased funding for research and development in sustainable technologies to improve the efficiency of all enterprises.
2. A Green Skills Network that will invest in training and sharing sustainable and renewable construction skills in building, joinery, plumbing, electrical and roofing work, heating and structural engineering; this network to be in partnership with Sheffield College.
3. A regulated integrated transport system that offers greater flexibility in terms of bus routes offered, especially to hospitals and universities, free fares for under 16s, flat rate £1 fares at weekends, improved cycle routes; and more lower kerbs for pedestrians and more pelican crossings.
4. Funding for South Yorkshire Energy Centre to identify cost effective ways of improving the energy efficiency of terraced housing and so helping to reduce carbon footprints and fuel poverty.
5. A revised Sheffield Bond to fund increasing the energy efficiency of public and private housing using “green enveloping” zones and to develop a district energy network- linked to the National Grid. Lower energy bills and profits generated used to repay loans to private householders.
6. Minimization of compulsory redundancies and the loss of skilled workers by offering voluntary reduced working hours in Council departments where there is downsizing due to lower demand.
7. Levying local business rates, to reward those who lower their carbon footprints.
8. Encouragement to increase local food production and ways of transforming marginal land for growing food, help to reduce food miles, create new jobs and improve our food security. Skills training to reduce chemicals inputs and develop methods to lessen liquid run off into water courses.
9. Ways of improving the marketing and distribution of locally grown produce.
10. The planting of trees along upper watercourses to reduce river flow surges into the city.
11. Community composting and recycling networks and repair and reuse initiatives.
12. The conversion of arms-related industries to manufacture products for a sustainable world.