Remarkable People

About the Group

As in past times of crises, disparate groups have come together to propose a new solution to an epochal challenge. The Green New Deal Group, drew inspiration from the tone of President Roosevelt’s comprehensive response to the Great Depression to propose a modernised version, a ‘Green New Deal’ designed to power a renewables revolution, create thousands of green-collar jobs and rein in the distorting power of the finance sector while making more low-cost capital available for pressing priorities.

Meeting since early 2007, the membership of the Green New Deal Group is drawn to reflect a wide range of expertise relating to the current financial, energy and environmental crises. The views and recommendations of the Green New Deal report, published in July 2008, are those of the group writing in their individual capacities.

The Green New Deal Group is, in alphabetical order:

Larry Elliott, Economics Editor of the Guardian, Colin Hines, Co-Director of Finance for the Future, former head of Greenpeace International’s Economics Unit, Tony Juniper, former Director of Friends of the Earth, Jeremy Leggett, founder and Chairman of Solarcentury and SolarAid, Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP, Richard Murphy, Co-Director of Finance for the Future and Director, Tax Research LLP, Ann Pettifor, former head of the Jubilee 2000 debt relief campaign, Campaign Director of Operation Noah, Charles Secrett, Advisor on Sustainable Development, former Director of Friends of the Earth, Andrew Simms, Policy Director, nef (the new economics foundation).

Local Economic Solutions For Sustainability

Mission statement

Localise West Midlands is a not-for-profit organisation which exists to promote the environmental, social and economic benefits of:

• Local trading, using local businesses, materials and supply chains
• Linking local needs to local resources Development of community and local capacity
• Decentralisation of appropriate democratic and economic power
• Provision of services tailored to meet local needs.

This localisation approach makes economic development and government systems more sensitive to local autonomy, culture, wellbeing and the responsible use of finite resources, and is growing in popularity with people and organisations all over the world.

Localisation helps build social capital, targets regeneration to meet local needs, maximises local job creation, and reduces transport and CO2 emissions.

To promote this approach across the region LWM will:

• Bring people together with a common interest in localisation
• Provide and publicise information, ideas and examples of good practice
• Facilitate or undertake demonstration projects
• Provide consultancy and other support to groups who are developing localist approaches
• Create supportive networks for localist action
• Challenge the barriers to localisation
• Link with similar projects outside the region and worldwide.

Background

LWM was set up in 2002 by a group of individuals who, through opposing the more damaging excesses of the current economic model, had also recognised the need to propose positive models for economic activity.

Our West Midlands focus is intended to make use the region’s geographical balance of urban and rural; and also to encourage democratic accountability and a people-centred approach amongst regional bodies.

However we also look beyond the region, seeking to catalyse ideas across the UK and to make links with and support organisations all over the world working on a similar agenda.

Our first project involved the facilitation of increased local purchasing of food by public bodies, with a conference for procurement officers sponsored by Advantage West Midlands and the Countryside Agency.

We engage with regional policymaking particularly via the West Midlands Regional Sustainability Forum.

See the following links for information on our funding and membership.

About nef

nef (the new economics foundation) is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being.

We aim to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues. We work in partnership and put people and the planet first.

nef was founded in 1986 by the leaders of The Other Economic Summit (TOES) which forced issues such as international debt onto the agenda of the G7 and G8 summits.

We are unique in combining rigorous analysis and policy debate with practical solutions on the ground, often run and designed with the help of local people. We also create new ways of measuring progress towards increased well-being and environmental sustainability.

nef works with all sections of society in the UK and internationally - civil society, government, individuals, businesses and academia - to create more understanding and strategies for change.