Secondary element
The broader agenda for improving Hertfordshire’s environmental performance needs to be a truly collective endeavour. Many different partners need to contribute and working in partnership will be key. There is a business and skills strand to this – which relates to all of our 60,000 firms and the 640,000 economically active residents. Across these elements, Hertfordshire Futures has a significant role to play – but not a solitary one.
With regard to wider issues linked to infrastructure, transport and natural capital, it will support the work of Hertfordshire Growth Board. The priorities set out below have been defined in this context.
Supporting
Supporting 'green transitions' across all sectors in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Futures aims to improve environmental outcomes by collaborating with partners, businesses, and supportive services to provide environmental transformation advice.
The Hertfordshire Growth Hub will be crucial in this process, working with other networks to support transformation. Specific actions, many of which are campaign-focused (tools, signposting, information), will be launched at the Herts COP26 in November.
Improving access to the skills needed for cleaner growth across Hertfordshire
The (former) Government's Green Jobs Task Force was established to support the creation of 2 million jobs by 2030 and enabled the skills sector to adapt to Net Zero and grow.
This aligns with Hertfordshire's emerging Skills and Employment Strategy. It will be important that this is delivered with the priorities linked to Clean Growth firmly in view.
Developing solutions for green financing
In seeking to deliver Clean Growth, new forms of financing might be required. However – particularly following the pandemic – there may be real opportunities on which to build. For example:
- Nationally it is estimated that for every 150,000 people, some £6bn of investments and savings are held which
may be accessible through crowdfunding (HMRC & ONS, 2020) - Post Covid-19, rebuilding local authority funds will take time, but the potential from green municipal bonds is huge (5% equates to £300m) and 72% of people across the UK want to lend money to Councils to help develop Climate Change Plans
Greening our infrastructure
Led by the Growth Board, partners in Hertfordshire will work together to ensure that all major developments are futureproofed and exemplary in environmental terms. This includes, for example, ensuring that building specifications such as BREEAM are implemented, and that digital connectivity allows for future proofing of smart mobility and inclusivity.
Encouraging sustainable transport solutions
To achieve clean growth, sustainable transport solutions are a priority. Hertfordshire County Council and the Growth Board are responsible for this.
Over the next decade, Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan 2018-2031 (LTP4) aims to shift from a car-based strategy to a balanced approach that supports all forms of transport. It encourages switching from private cars to sustainable options like walking, cycling, and public transport. LTP4 outlines the objectives, policies, and key schemes to achieve this transition, along with additional specific actions.