Birmingham: the net zero future

It goes without saying that everybody is currently feeling the pinch. The cost of living crisis is here to stay, with inflation set to be at least 5% in 2023 on top of the over 10% seen in 2022.

For businesses to stay afloat, some of these costs will have to be passed on to consumers. However, if too much of the extra cost is passed on, consumers will stop buying and the businesses will fold anyway.

It is not just the private sector that has seen significant cost increases. The public sector, long the subject of austerity measures, is also having to soak up the increases within already stretched budgets. When put alongside the drive for sustainability and the green agenda, these cost increases create a new problem – how do you deliver on sustainable objectives when available budgets will not stretch as far as you had anticipated?

There can be little doubt that sustainability must be a key focus of Britain as a whole. Climate change is affecting everyone, as weather becomes less predictable and more extreme. This in turn is causing crop failures, droughts and floods, which not only affect people’s lives directly but also put greater cost and pressure on businesses.

Each and every one of us can have a small impact on the environment. If millions of us choose to live a more sustainable life then these small impacts can have a very significant effect. However, for single more significant changes it is unlikely that the majority of people will either be able to make the necessary change, or it will impact their lives to such an extent that they may be unwilling to do so without a very strong push. That push may come form the private sector, but more likely from local or national governments. For example, the UK Government is currently looking into the development of Hydrogen infrastructure, which could replace natural gas in our homes. This one change, if achieved, could reduce the UK’s emissions by 10-14%. It is not, however, something which the average person can do on their own.

While many of the changes will need to be made at the national level, some will be far closer to home. To take a local view of the green agenda, and one city’s plans for the future, we have put together a series of podcasts with Birmingham City Council. In it we discuss a range of topics from transport, to the redevelopment of the East Side and Birmingham’s City of Nature programme.

Episode 1: Part 1

Sylvia Broadley, Air Quality Manager - Energy & Transport, Planning & Regeneration, Birmingham City Council

An overview of Birmingham’s transport and connectivity inclusive growth team, exploring key themes of electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging infrastructure.

Episode 1: Part 2

Sylvia Broadley, Air Quality Manager - Energy & Transport, Planning & Regeneration, Birmingham City Council

Unpicking Birmingham’s roll out plan and exploring how investors can get involved. 

Episode 2: Part 1

Mark Gamble, Head of East Birmingham Development, Birmingham City Council

An overview of East Birmingham’s Inclusive Growth Agenda strategy and what it does. Exploring how access to green spaces and other environmental aspects has been factored into these plans, along with private sector involvement.

Episode 2: Part 2

Mark Gamble, Head of East Birmingham Development, Birmingham City Council

Exploring Birmingham Council's route to net zero and its development in sustainability. 

Episode 3: Part 1

Simon Needle, Principal Arboriculturist and Ecologist, City Design Team, Birmingham City Council

Explaining Birmingham’s City of Nature plan, consequential ESG factors and the matrix of green space.

Episode 3: Part 2

Simon Needle, Principal Arboriculturist and Ecologist, City Design Team, Birmingham City Council

Exploring ways in which the private sector can get involved with the plan to reach biodiversity net gain targets and unpicking the Urban Forest Masterplan.