UK Budget 'start of Green New Deal'
Jeremy Leggett, Executive Chairman, Solarcentury said: "This budget gets us on the road with a green new deal in the UK. In the context of significant tightening elsewhere in the budget, the sums made available for subsidies, loans, investment funds and capital allowances in energy efficiency and renewables can make a difference, and create many jobs. Industry and government now needs to pull together to execute. We have some catching up to do." Derry Newman, Chief Executive, Solarcentury said: "Today's welcome Budget announcement of an additional £45 million for the Low Carbon Buildings Programme should end the current suspension of PV grant applications under Phase 2 of the LCBP and enable this sector to plan with confidence for the launch of the feed-in tariff in April 2010. The Treasury is to be congratulated for recognising the important contribution that technologies such as solar PV can make to delivering a low carbon Britain. We look forward to working with...
Jeremy Leggett named a global leader as 'Hillary Laureate'
We're pleased to report that the Hillary Institute of International Leadership has announced its 2009 Hillary Laureate, as Jeremy Leggett our Executive Chairman. The New Zealand-based Hillary Institute was launched in 2007 with the late Sir Edmund Hillary, inspired by his extraordinary life and global contribution. The Institute, whose patron is former Prime Minister Helen Clark (just appointed head of the United Nations Development Programme), recognises exceptional mid-career leaders by selecting one international Laureate annually over a four year topic cycle. The annual Laureates then comprise the shortlist for the premier award of the Hillary Step, to be given in 2012 and currently valued at a minimum of $US100,000. The Hillary Institute is guided by the Hillary Summit, a board of well-recognised leadership thinkers and practitioners from five continents who selected the laureate and...
Construction and solar industry workers visit Prime Minister to demand ‘green collar’ jobs on eve of budget
A group representing construction workers from UK businesses today delivered a letter to the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street to highlight their urgent need for ‘green collar’ work. On the day before the Government’s budget announcement, the group includes Jeremy Leggett of Solarcentury and individuals representing roofers, builders, electricians and architects, demonstrating the variety of skills available and ready for a green collar economic recovery, as taking place in countries across the world. The sectors want to benefit from a ‘green budget’ with investment in renewable energy such as solar power, as their peers do in Europe where government market-building programmes are far advanced in comparison to the UK's. This follows the Conservative party’s recent call for a £30 billion green technology recovery, emphasising the role for solar energy in creating clean energy for new...
