Unions call for Green Teams to boost economy and environment

A new report by UNISON, supported by the TUC, today maps out a green path to recovery. It calls for local authorities to take a lead in developing sustainable energy projects that will both cut carbon emissions, ease fuel poverty and create vital local jobs to boost economic recovery. The report – based on a comprehensive survey of local authorities – shows councils are creating green jobs, highlights a new funding model available for sustainable community projects and calls on the government to issue clear policy to encourage take up. This must include reinstating higher Feed in Tariffs* for community level renewable energy projects. It also shows the vital role the public sector can play in tackling our economic decline and fulfilling our international environmental commitments. Crucially, the report makes recommendations to central and local government on how to make green teams a reality. The report will be launched at an event at TUC Congress House today (31 Jan) - The New Green Team: Local government, sustainable energy, jobs and skills. Speakers on the day will include Caroline Lucas MP, Leader of the Green Party, Frances O’Grady, Deputy General Secretary, TUC and Mike Jeram, National Secretary for Business and the Environment, at UNISON. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Central and local government must act now – both our economy and environment are hanging in the balance. Green teams are a real opportunity to create much needed local jobs and boost our energy efficiency. By making homes more sustainable, we would also help ease fuel poverty that millions of families are struggling with. Local businesses would not only benefit from more people working and spending money in local shops, pubs and restaurants, but could also take part in community energy efficiency programmes. “This report sets out exactly what needs to happen to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of rolling green teams out nationally. We want key stakeholders such as local authorities and MPs to act on this – it really is a win/win scenario.” TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Local councils across the UK are starting to make a real difference when it comes to cutting down on energy costs – insulating homes, tackling fuel poverty and slashing their own emissions. But all of this costs money, and the worry is that with local authorities seeing a huge cut in the grants they get from government, this good work is being put at risk.“Greater energy efficiency is not a luxurious optional extra – it is something that will pay long-term economic and environmental dividends, and it must be right at the heart of the public policy agenda. So whether it’s through a Robin Hood Tax on financial transactions, a tax on bankers’ bonuses or a proper clampdown on tax avoidance, the means certainly must be found to make the UK an energy efficient reality.”*Feed in tariffs allow people or companies to generate electricity and either use it or sell it to their energy supplier.