Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development
Agency, signed an agreement with the Department for Energy and Climate
Change (DECC) on behalf of England's Regional Development Agency (RDA)
Network.
It sets out the arrangements between DECC and the nine English RDAs,
to formalise how they will work on 'green' priorities, which were
highlighted as a multi-billion pound business opportunity over the
next decade by the Stern Report in 2006.
Mr Broomhead, who is leading the changes on behalf of all the
country's agencies, said energy and climate change were "inextricably
linked" and were now a priority across the globe.
He said: "The NWDA will ensure all RDAs are committed to supporting
government targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 34% by 2020 and
80% by 2050.
"We can show strong leadership on this agenda through developing the
new regional strategies, 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."
DECC permanent secretary Moira Wallace said that working with the RFAs
would be "crucial" to tackling climate change.
