By Lawrence Geoffrey Tingson, Healthy & Sustainable Manager, Linen Quarter BID
The Green Economy places sustainability at the heart of development of and investment. It’s one of the most significant global transitions the world has seen in decades. LQ BID is committed to supporting local businesses to recognise the opportunities it presents.
In basic terms, a Green Economy delivers products or services that drive decarbonisation and energy efficiency, leaving a lasting positive impact across our supply chain. According to the International Labour Organisation, the move to a greener economy could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030. We are making sure that businesses across the District, can adapt to this change.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy recently unveiled the Net Zero Advisory Board, designed to enhance the region’s standing as a global leader in green technology and the net zero economy. With the support of Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, it will tap into the expertise of our diaspora through Northern Irish Connections, a global community connected by a desire to see us prosper.
Northern Ireland has a proven track-record in our ability to harness innovation, now also reflected in the huge potential of the Green Economy with successes in international markets marked by many. These successes drive our growing position in this space. Continued knowledge-sharing and the development of crucial connections in key markets around the world helps us position Northern Ireland as a region for investment, ultimately creating and sustaining high-quality jobs into the future.
Whilst local companies with the skills and technology to provide services like low-carbon retrofitting can win lucrative international contracts, businesses in other sectors should recognise they also stand to gain from investing in their own buildings and operations.
As we look to support Government’s net-zero by 2050 obligation, businesses of all sizes and in all sectors need to realise the benefits of the Green Economy are universal. The trickle-down benefits will be felt across sectors positioning Northern Ireland as a sustainable region, primed for long-term growth and investment.
As businesses explore the Green Economy, we remain committed to empowering them to fully optimise emerging opportunities to ensure Northern Ireland transitions to a net-zero future.
A number of events as part of the RE[act] festival will provide more information on the transition supports available, including a Business Breakfast on November 13th with Invest NI.
Browse the full 37 events to see how you can RE[act].