Transition to a Low Carbon Economy

RDAs perform a number of important roles and functions which add real value to supporting the Government’s national priorities for energy and climate change and the delivery of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan. The RDAs are demonstrating strong leadership on energy and climate change in the regions by supporting energy and other low carbon technology through innovation, supply chain and skills development, as well as securing energy efficiency and carbon reductions for businesses through Business Link and related services.

RDAs' contribution to Low Carbon Sectors

RDAs are developing a coherent understanding of the key national and regional strengths in the UK’s low carbon sector and are exploiting opportunities for greater alignment and collaboration to deliver strong economic outcomes and value for money in the transition to a low carbon economy.

RDAs are collaborating strongly with the private sector, particularly in certain sub-sectors (notably Civil Nuclear and Aerospace). There is strong collaboration with Government departments, particularly on those sectors identified as growth areas for the future (such as Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles and Civil Nuclear). There is also strong collaboration between RDAs and universities across the regions, particularly in emerging and new technologies.

The introduction of Low Carbon Economic Areas (LCEAs) has provided the opportunity for greater geographic collaborations.

Regional Leadership

RDAs provide regional leadership on energy and climate change through:

• Supporting key enabling sectors, such as construction, transport and environmental technologies, goods and services, identifying and supporting opportunities for growth, market and supply chain development to encourage progress towards a low carbon economy. Companies delivering resource efficient/low-carbon solutions are a major segment of the Energy Management sector in all regions.
• The RDAs role at the centre of the Business Support Simplification agenda encourages all business support programmes to mainstream and actively promote businesses’ progression towards a low carbon economy. RDAs are supporting initiatives to deliver business resource efficiency advice, using Business Link as a gateway and in collaboration with national programmes such as Carbon Trust and WRAP.
• To secure international trade opportunities and assist local businesses become globally competitive, RDAs are supporting the development of enterprises that can enhance England’s position as a global leader in low-carbon technology and eco-design. These regional sector development initiatives collaborate through the UK Federation of Environmental Industries
• Leading regionally specific R&D, innovation and demonstration activity on low carbon energy technologies, efficient energy use/transmission and climate change
• Improving the sustainability of physical developments through low-carbon design of regeneration investments (more generally, RDAs are committed to estimating and publishing carbon savings from their programmes);
• Supporting the development of a skilled low-carbon and nuclear energy workforce, including improving sector skills and maximising local opportunities from energy investment and infrastructure, including nuclear legacy management;
• Investing in low-carbon transport through support for the automotive and aerospace industry, supporting growth in high-technology and high-value manufacturing and though research and development in biofuels and transport infrastructure.  
• Encouraging the reduction of fuel poverty though joint working with local and health authorities on community scale low carbon projects.