Green Great Britain Week #GreenGB

The first Green Great Britain (GB) Week takes place 15-19 October 2018.

This is a Government-led week and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a key partner, with a number of events and activities planned across the country. The aim of Green GB Week is to engage us all with the importance of tackling climate change and ensuring clean growth. 

Businesses and universities are vital in driving the innovation we need for clean growth, from developing the technology to charge electric vehicles more quickly and researching long-term renewable energy solutions to identifying opportunities to reduce plastic waste. 

Each day of Green GB Week has a specific theme:

• Monday: UK leadership on climate science
• Tuesday: Clean growth and innovation
• Wednesday: Clean investment and the low carbon economy
• Thursday: Clean growth as a business opportunity, new business and job opportunities
• Friday: Climate action in communities

The Green GB Week events are a chance to learn about how clean growth is helping to provide new job opportunities, grow our economy for the benefit of us all and help tackle climate change for a cleaner, green future.

Tom Thackray, CBI Energy and Infrastructure Director, said:

“Every day we receive yet more stark reminders of the impacts of climate change and the action needed right now – across business, governments and society – to ensure global warming does not reach 2 degrees.

“The UK currently has ambitious emissions reduction targets, which have already delivered strong outcomes on the decarbonisation agenda, including uptake in renewable electricity investment and the development of energy efficiency strategies. And we shouldn’t forget that the UK’s emissions have been cut by over 40% from 1990 levels, whilst the economy has grown by over 60%.

“Businesses are committed to playing their part in the move to a zero-carbon future, ensuring the UK remains a global leader in low-carbon performance, but they can only go so far without the correct policy measures to drive investment and change consumer behaviour. The Government and business – across the energy, transport, agriculture, aviation and other sectors – must work closely to ensure policy frameworks support the journey to carbon neutrality, protecting people and systems in the process.

“As we start Green GB Week, we look forward to contributing a clear business voice on how the UK can go further in contributing to global efforts, protecting our land, sea and socio-economic development and averting the catastrophic impacts of climate change.”