Decoupling prosperity from consumption: the first five years
Balance carbon budgets on long term investments: collaborate so that large investments balance a carbon budget without offshoring emissions. This would signal serious intent.
Devolution framework for climate: collaborate with the other combined authorities to develop a devolution framework and series of deals which relate to meeting the climate challenge. This should include new powers to generate revenue and to regulate.
Create green financial products: work with financial institutions to design financial products like a ‘green bond’, to stimulate investment in the region and to boost local businesses. This could position the region to take real commercial advantage of the transition to low carbon economy that we will need to collectively embark on.
Factor climate impact into procurement: all catering contracts to take into account climate impact, including supply chain and freight. Collaborate to learn from what is easiest to measure and to build a supply chain of trusted local suppliers.
Embed climate smart eating into the curriculum: ensure that catering offer is complemented by embedding healthy eating in the curriculum. This can be as part of cooking classes that will also ensure children recognise a wide variety of seasonal foods.
Eliminate single-use plastics: work to eliminate single-use plastics from all activities. This is consistent with a pledge made by the Mayor in September 2019 (32), which promises that single-use plastics will be eliminated from all WMCA/TfWM operations by the end of 2020.
Build a case for the NHS contribution: to develop a plan for its contribution to various elements of the climate challenge: including single-use plastics, catering, waste, transport and estate. To be developed via collaboration between the integrated care systems (ICSs) of the WMCA 3-LEP area.
(32). See https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/mayor-commits-west-midlands-combined-authority-to-ditching-single-use-plastics/