Key business demands for Bristol region ahead of G7 summit

The South West could play a leading role in building a sustainable economy, say business representatives who have set out key demands for the region.

Industry leaders focused on the challenges and opportunities of “a truly blue and green economy” in a C7 meeting ahead of the global G7 summit taking place in Cornwall.

They are calling for leadership in helping businesses to build a more sustainable future for trade and say companies must be operating on a level playing field that ensures opportunities for all.

Meanwhile, mayor Marvin Rees has joined calls urging national politicians to include city leaders in talks and acknowledge that it is at a city level that net zero carbon targets will be achieved.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Rees said: “The point we’ve been making is that cities need to be part of that conversation. And you’ll hear me say repeatedly, the world cannot be run by national governments alone. With most of the world now living in cities and living between cities, the climate targets are only meetable if we decarbonise cities.

“You have to have city leaders at the table shaping national and international policy.”

The G7 summit will see national leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA (which make up the G7), as well as representatives from other countries, convene at Carbis Bay, near St Ives from Friday to Sunday.

There is also set to be a number of protests over the weekend, with Extinction Rebellion campaigners planning a series of actions and Surfers Against Sewage hosting a ‘paddle out protest’.

Tackling the climate and ecological crisis and rebuilding a fairer economy in the wake of Covid are likely to dominate the summit. Boris Johnson made the journey from London to Cornwall by plane, arriving on Wednesday.

Speaking from a business perspective, Phil Smith, the managing director of Business West, said: “The C7 conference was focused on the challenges and opportunities of a truly ‘blue and green’ economy.

“It illustrated the global nature of the climate challenge and the unique ability of the Chamber of Commerce movement to engage the world’s business community in finding answers.”

British Chambers of Commerce South West (BCCSW) have sent a letter containing five key demands to Downing Street:

• Show businesses a path to a more sustainable future. Guide business to understand the steps needed. Business can help provide the solutions as long as they understand the route needed.
• Balance regulation with incentive. There is a role for commitments and target setting for both government and business, but there must be a combination of carrot and stick, incentivising and helping business to take the necessary steps. Business needs support, especially as it reels from the impact of the pandemic and adjusts to post-Brexit international trade, so there should be no additional cost burden imposed upon it.
• Show leadership. Be strong and bold, working closely with like-minded partners who share our values and holding to account those countries that do not. Show solidarity with our G7 partners with a consistent approach to fossil fuels and waste management and reach out to help other countries work towards our goals. Work in partnership with businesses across every sector to help drive us all towards sustainable solutions.
• Be fair and free. People and businesses deserve a level playing field that gives opportunity to all. Ensure that the poor are not excluded by digital poverty and make sure that international corporations pay the same tax as local businesses. If 100 corporations are responsible for 71 per cent of emissions, then do not punish those businesses that are trying their best but go after those that are damaging the planet the most. Allow trade freely around the world and enable it to happen sustainably.
• Innovate and inform. Share best practice and seek out new ways to drive change in behaviours that are damaging to our planet. Ideas from the C7 conference included asking businesses to file environmental impact reports with their accounts and implementing a traffic light system, similar to that used on food packaging, to show consumers the impact products have on the environment. Work with business to find solutions and share best practice.

Stuart Elford, chair of BCCSW added: “It is important that the UK plays a leading role in enabling businesses to make the change that will make our future a more sustainable one.

“We need to be able to trade freely around the world in the most sustainable way possible. To do that, businesses need help, guidance and a path to follow. Now, with the eyes of the world on us, is an opportune time to start on that path.

“The South West has an incredible opportunity to play a global role in sustainable trade that works in harmony with the world around us – we are uniquely positioned to do so. Business wants to help and BCCSW is prepared to work with the government to achieve a more sustainable future.”

Main photo by Lowie Trevena

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