Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change has written to the government calling for support to achieve net zero and nature recovery for the region.
Cllr Martyn Alvey has sent letters to recently appointed energy security and net zero secretary, Ed Miliband, and environment, food and rural affairs secretary, Steve Reed.
In his letter to Ed Miliband Cllr Alvey highlights Cornwall’s ‘unique ability to enable the Labour government to make Britain a clean energy superpower’.
He writes:
“We believe that the opportunities to create good growth in Cornwall by unlocking our renewable energy sector aligns perfectly with your ambitions to cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030.
“Cornwall has witnessed a dramatic growth in renewable energy generation with 37% of its electricity generated from renewable sources and is the UK hotspot for domestic renewable energy, with over 15% of households in Cornwall having an MCS certified renewable energy installation, including solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.”
However, the letter goes on to warn that energy grid capacity is ‘significantly impacting Cornwall’s potential for growth and jeopardising the UK’s pace in achieving a net zero transition’.
It reads:
“As recognised in our Good Growth Strategy the capacity of the energy network is the single biggest risk to growth in Cornwall, affecting numerous sectors and we would welcome the opportunity to work with Government, the new Mission Control centre and Great British Energy to support Labour’s growth and clean energy missions.”
The letter goes on to ask for support for delivering the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Area Energy Plan actions to help expand renewable energy, bring energy security and provide more green sector jobs for the region.
In his letter to Steve Reed, Cllr Alvey outlines how Cornwall can help the government in its bid ‘clean up rivers, lakes and seas, boost food security, ensure nature’s recovery and protect communities from the dangers of flooding.’
It reads:
“With our internationally renowned and recognised heritage, landscapes and coastline, comprising of National Landscapes, UNESCO Mining World Heritage Sites, distinctive towns and historic sites we understand that nature is an important contributor to a healthy economy, shaping our culture and benefitting the resilience and wellbeing of Cornwall’s residents and businesses.”
The letter highlights how Cornwall is a leader in its approach to nature recovery and has delivered programmes to unlock its potential and inform national policy.
This includes being selected as one of five Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) pilot areas and one of four areas in England delivering the Local Investment in Natural Capital pilot programme which recently launched Cornwall’s Natural Capital Exchange, showcasing nature recovery projects to potential private funders and to attract investment.
The letter also points to the council’s Defra-funded Woodland Creation Partnership with the Forest for Cornwall recording a million trees since its inception in 2019.
Cllr Alvey asks the Defra secretary for support to work in partnership on a nature recovery delivery pilot to speed up delivery of the region’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
He has also asked to review the current capital funding mechanism that prohibits small rural communities like those throughout Cornwall access to much-needed flood interventions.
Story posted July 29, 2024