Cheshire and Warrington to Target Highest Economic Growth Rate in the North Under New 20-Year Strategy – News By Wire

Report on Cheshire and Warrington’s Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy (SIES)

1.0 Executive Summary

The Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board has approved the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy (SIES), a long-term blueprint for regional development through 2045. The strategy is designed to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering economic growth, ensuring environmental sustainability, and promoting social inclusion. Implementation will be facilitated by the establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority, which will manage devolved powers and significant funding to achieve these objectives through a partnership-based approach, reflecting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2.0 Economic Growth, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The SIES outlines a commitment to robust economic performance, directly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• Productivity and Economic Growth (SDG 8): The primary economic objective is to achieve the highest rate of economic and productivity growth in the North of England.
• Industry and Innovation (SDG 9): Key initiatives to foster innovation include:
  1. Strengthening the Cheshire Science Corridor, a hub for private sector science and technology assets.
  2. Advancing the HyNet industrial decarbonisation cluster, which integrates industrial innovation with climate action objectives.

3.0 Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

A core component of the strategy is its focus on environmental stewardship, addressing multiple SDGs related to climate, energy, and nature.

• Climate Action (SDG 13): A target has been set to reduce carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually by 2030.
• Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7): The plan includes a goal to generate and store 1 gigawatt of new clean energy.
• Responsible Consumption and Life on Land (SDG 12 & SDG 15): The strategy mandates significant investment in:
  1. Habitat and nature recovery projects.
  2. The development of sustainable rural industries.
  3. The establishment of a circular economy to minimize waste and promote reuse.
  4. Expansion of green and blue-green infrastructure networks.

4.0 Social Inclusion, Health, and Community Well-being

The strategy places significant emphasis on ensuring that growth is inclusive and benefits all residents, aligning with several social development goals.

• Poverty and Inequality (SDG 1 & SDG 10): A central focus is on implementing support systems to lift communities out of poverty and reduce socio-economic disparities.
• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): The plan aims to create the UK’s healthiest region by reducing health inequalities.
• Quality Education (SDG 4): New pathways for skills development, careers, and training will be created, with a specific focus on skills required for the clean energy sector.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): The strategy seeks to improve community well-being by enhancing access to:
  1. Future-proofed transport systems.
  2. Comprehensive digital infrastructure and connectivity.
  3. Natural spaces and green infrastructure.
  4. High-quality, accessible housing.

5.0 Governance and Implementation

The strategy’s implementation is underpinned by a new governance structure and a commitment to multi-sector collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

• Devolution: The establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority by 2026 will transfer powers over transport, economy, and skills from central government to local leaders, strengthening local institutions.
• Funding: A minimum of £650 million in funding over 30 years has been secured to support the strategy’s objectives.
• Community Engagement: The plan includes a commitment to support community-led initiatives and the voluntary sector, ensuring inclusive decision-making.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article explicitly mentions the goal of “reducing poverty” and supporting initiatives to “lift communities out of poverty.”
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The strategy’s vision is for the region to become the “UK’s healthiest,” with a focus on “reducing health inequalities” and leveraging strengths in “life sciences.”
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The strategy includes a commitment to “accelerate clean energy leadership,” with specific targets for “clean energy generation and storage” and developing “clean energy skills.”
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The core ambition is to become the “fastest-growing region” with the “highest rate of economic and productivity growth in the north,” creating “opportunities for all” through new pathways for skills and careers.
5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The plan focuses on strengthening the “Cheshire Science Corridor,” supporting “advanced manufacturing,” and future-proofing “transport, housing, utilities, digital connectivity.” The “HyNet industrial decarbonisation cluster” is a key infrastructure project mentioned.
6. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The strategy aims to be “inclusive,” reduce “health inequalities,” and ensure that economic growth creates “opportunities for all,” thereby addressing disparities within the region.
7. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The vision is for a “sustainable” and “inclusive” region with better access to “transport,” “quality housing,” and “green infrastructure,” including “Blue-Green infrastructure.”
8. SDG 13: Climate Action – A central goal is to “slash carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually by 2030” and support industrial decarbonisation, directly addressing climate change mitigation.
9. SDG 15: Life on Land – The article highlights a commitment to “restore nature” through “major investment in habitat recovery” and the development of “Blue-Green infrastructure.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1 (No Poverty):
  • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of people living in poverty. The article’s stated focus on “reducing poverty” and initiatives to “help lift communities out of poverty” directly aligns with this target.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
  • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy. The specific goal to generate “1GW of new clean energy generation and storage” is a direct contribution to this target.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and technological upgrading. The ambition for the “highest productivity growth in the North” and strengthening the “Cheshire Science Corridor” supports this target.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The plan to deliver “Future-proofed transport, housing, utilities, digital connectivity” directly addresses this.
  • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. The mention of the “HyNet industrial decarbonisation cluster” is a prime example of retrofitting industry for sustainability.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
  • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization. The strategy’s blueprint for a “sustainable, inclusive” region with “quality housing” and “green infrastructure” aligns with this target.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action):
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning. The “Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy” itself is an example of integrating climate measures, with its explicit goal to “slash carbon emissions.”
• SDG 15 (Life on Land):
  • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss. The commitment to “restore nature” and make “major investment in habitat recovery” directly supports this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 7 (Target 7.2):
  • A specific, measurable indicator is provided: “1GW of new clean energy generation and storage.” Progress can be tracked by measuring the installed capacity of new clean energy projects.
• For SDG 8 (Target 8.2):
  • An implied indicator is the region’s productivity growth rate. The article states the goal is to have the “highest productivity growth in the North,” which can be measured and compared against the North West and national averages.
• For SDG 13 (Target 13.2):
  • A specific, measurable indicator is mentioned: “carbon reduction of 4.5m tonnes per year by 2030.” This provides a clear metric to track progress on climate action.
• For SDG 1 (Target 1.2):
  • An implied indicator would be the poverty rate within Cheshire and Warrington. Progress would be measured by the percentage reduction in the number of people living in poverty over time.
• For SDG 15 (Target 15.5):
  • An implied indicator is the area of land under habitat recovery. The “major investment in habitat recovery” suggests that progress could be measured in hectares of restored natural environments.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: newsbywire.com