Employers should pull their weight to help the South West reach its environmental potential, the South West TUC will next week tell the government.
Nigel Costley, Regional Secretary of the South West TUC, is on Tuesday meeting with Rosie Winterton, Minister for the Regions, and will state the need for businesses to take seriously the challenge of climate change.
He said: “Trade unions in the South West want to see a green economy based on environmental protection, renewable energy and green manufacturing.
“Our workplace reps are often leading the green agenda but we can’t do it alone. We’re keen, not only to play our part, but to encourage employers to play their part too.
“A growing number of employers are seeing the benefits of going green –making savings in energy spending, cutting their carbon footprint, improving their public image – but we need even more to join in if we are truly going to make a difference.
“I hope Rosie Winterton will understand the need to encourage businesses to take a proactive stance in tackling climate change.”
In July the region was designated the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area, with £19.5m being made available by the government to invest in renewable energy, including the pioneering Wave Hub project off the cost of Cornwall.
See http://www.greenworkplacessouthwest.org.uk for information about what the South West TUC is doing to tackle climate change.
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NOTES TO EDITORS: Nigel Costley and South West TUC Chair Tim Lezard will next week join 700 delegates at TUC in Liverpool to debate an agenda featuring motions on jobs and the recession, protecting public services, pensions, equality in the workplace and a variety of international issues.
They will also discuss issues such as greater regulation of the economy, public spending and countering the threat posed by the far right.
The final agenda containing the text of all the motions to be debated during the 141st Congress can be found at http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-16887-f0.cfm:
 
If you would like a comment on any issue relating to TUC Congress (which runs from Monday morning until Thursday lunchtime), then please contact either Nigel Costley (07887 797 153) or Tim Lezard (07810 641 459).

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