Professor Martin Freer discusses what the region needs to do to meet net zero targets. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of … Continue reading “The Green Economy in Birmingham and the West Midlands”
Category: Environment
The Energy Price Cap and Price Guarantee: What Does it Mean for Your Energy Bill?
Dr Annum Rafique looks at how you can save on your energy bills, what support is available and what to look for looking ahead into the future. The energy price cap sets a maximum price that energy suppliers can charge consumers for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they use. The price cap is for … Continue reading “The Energy Price Cap and Price Guarantee: What Does it Mean for Your Energy Bill?”
Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century
What is smart energy? Annum Rafique discusses what it is, how it works and its potential to help us achieve net-zero. This blog was first published on the College of Social Science blog. Smart Energy has been identified as an energy system for the 21st Century which utilises digital technologies to monitor energy needs, make … Continue reading “Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century”
Balancing the Grid: Understanding the National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service
Annum Rafique looks at how the National Grid’s new initiative can help with our current energy crisis. This blog was originally published on the Birmingham Business School blog, you can view the original article here. What is the “demand flexibility service”? In October 2022, the National Grid warned Britain that the country might face blackouts … Continue reading “Balancing the Grid: Understanding the National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service”
Exploring Factors Influencing the Adoption of Low-Carbon and Renewable Technologies in Domestic Buildings in Birmingham
The Energy Crisis is on everyone’s minds, to raise awareness of National Energy Saving Week, Annum Rafique discusses the factors influencing the adoption of low-carbon and renewable technologies in domestic buildings in Birmingham. Climate change has been recognised as a global challenge. To combat climate change, the UK government has made ambitious targets for the … Continue reading “Exploring Factors Influencing the Adoption of Low-Carbon and Renewable Technologies in Domestic Buildings in Birmingham”
Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham
Barny Evans looks at the challenges that Birmingham faces when adapting to climate change and Covid-19. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration … Continue reading “Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham”
COP26 and the Green Economy; Opportunities and Challenges at the National and Regional Level
In the week of COP26, Courtney Stephenson explores the plans for green economic transformation in the West Midlands and considers how a new, green economy is an opportunity to place workers at the heart of the industrial revolution. Global Ambitions, Local Consequences This week the eyes of the world are on Glasgow, as the city … Continue reading “COP26 and the Green Economy; Opportunities and Challenges at the National and Regional Level”
E-Cargo Bikes – The Future of ‘Last-Mile’ Logistics?
Robert Lynam, one of City-REDI / WMREDI’s summer interns, writes about the use of e-cargo bikes for ‘last-mile’ logistics, potentially reducing emissions, congestion and delivery times in the West Midlands. What are your perceptions of an e-cargo bike? Peculiar-looking? A novelty that will eventually wear off? What about capable? As well as being favourable for … Continue reading “E-Cargo Bikes – The Future of ‘Last-Mile’ Logistics?”
Devolution and Local Recovery
Kevin Johnson, Managing Director of strategic communications firm Urban Communications, looks at the Government’s upcoming White Paper on Devolution. Will the government propose to increase powers for local authorities or continue a policy of delegation rather than devolution? The Government is set to publish a White Paper this Autumn on Devolution. As well as building … Continue reading “Devolution and Local Recovery”
Informing Regional Recovery With Community Priorities: WM Citizens’ Panel
Anna Humphreys and Adam Hawksbee from the West Midlands Combined Authority explain why the West Midlands Recovery Coordination Group set up a panel of citizens to help with the recovery in the region, as well as the findings from the group, and what they prioritised. Over the past few months, the UK Government has asked an … Continue reading “Informing Regional Recovery With Community Priorities: WM Citizens’ Panel”