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Robert Hough, chair of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA),

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9:33 am, December 10, 2009
Manchester city region confirmed as low carbon area

By Simon Binns

Greater Manchester has been designated the UK's first Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA) for the Built Environment by the government.

The Low Carbon Economic Area in Greater Manchester, which is the fourth LCEA to be announced by the government overall, is expected to save 6 million tones of carbon, pump an additional £650m into the economy and support 34,800 jobs.

The LCEA will involve a five-year "retro-fit" programme, which will improve the insulation of thousands of homes and offices in the Greater Manchester area. Small-scale renewable energy technologies will also be installed and smart meters introduced so people can see how much energy they are using.

A low-carbon laboratory will also be established. focusing on the research strengths of the universities along the Oxford Road corridor area of the city, where new technologies will be developed and tested. New finance initiatives such as mortgage products linked to carbon savings will also be introduced.

Initial work on the design of the programme has been carried out by teams from Greater Manchester's commissions for the Environment and the New Economy alongside the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Treasury, Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

In addition, assistance has been provided by the North West Development Agency and the Homes and Community Agency.

Robert Hough, chair of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “Essentially, the LCEA will create significant economic benefits for the whole of the North West, increase job opportunities, boost innovation and accelerate the move towards a low carbon economy.”

Lord Peter Smith, chair of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), said the announcement was “important news for everyone in Greater Manchester.”

“These new, devolved powers provide an opportunity to shape the environment we live in, support skills and development of young people and adults and give us more say on transport issues,” he said.

“It has the potential to benefit everyone living in our region and will help nurture Greater Manchester's recovery from the recession.”

Comments?sbinns@crain.com