Green New Deal
A conference of Green councillors from across the country has pledged to use new legal powers to create thousands of jobs through green regeneration projects. The Association of Green Councillors was responding to the new Sustainable Communities Act, which gives local authorities the right to request new powers from central government to promote local economies.
The councillors plan want to use the new powers in the Act to help start a wide range of regeneration schemes in local areas as part of a wider ‘Green New Deal’ to stimulate the economy at the same time as reducing carbon emissions.
Jon Barry, who was elected chair of the Association of Green Councillors at the conference, said: “Green councillors backed the introduction of the Sustainable Communities Act, and now we plan to use it to make a real difference in our local areas. The schemes we will be looking at will aim to build stronger local economies, create jobs, reduce money spent on energy bills and cut food costs. “