Thanks to Vix Lowthion for details of this event taking place tonight (Monday). Ed
All are welcome to the IW Green Party’s first planning meeting for their Green Island 2016 campaign this evening, Monday 7th December from 7pm at Downside Community Centre, Newport.
This comes a few days after the Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East visited Newport to launch the year long Green Island campaign.
A year of initiatives
Throughout 2016, the IW Green Party will be leading a number of initiatives and co-ordinating a green Action Plan. The tasks include tackling fuel poverty, a green community action kit and a Green Directory of sustainable businesses and local activities. The focus of the year will be on emphasising the Island’s Green future through listening and engaging with residents.
Natalie Bennett said:
“On my last visit to the Island I was delighted to visit a number of exciting green businesses, including Sustainable Marine Energy and eco-fashion brand Rapanui. I saw first-hand how they were creating good jobs, building skills and offering huge possibilities for the future.
“The Isle of Wight is clearly ideally placed to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing, food growing and processing and other green industries, so I’m delighted that the Green Party is launching a major campaign to achieve just that.”
Taking back the power
Keith Taylor, MEP also spoke with some of the residents and businesses affected by the Red Funnel planning application in East Cowes. The launch of Green Island also follows his new report ‘Taking back the power: Community energy in the South East’ which celebrates the work of communities across the region generating renewable energy whilst engaging local residents.
Keith said
“I am delighted to attend the launch of Green Island which aims to create the Island’s first community energy project in seven years. This is crucial not only to move towards a sustainable future but also at time of austerity, such policies and projects will help residents save money and create Green jobs.”
Clean and community owned energy
Daniel James, Chair of Isle of Wight Green Party said:
“There is plenty of ambition on the Island to develop green projects and policies. We’ve had encouraging progress towards the Isle of Wight’s community energy project, but it’s been made difficult by the government’s recent moves to withdraw support.
“However, we feel there is appetite in the community to continue despite these challenges, and we hope to start generating more clean and community owned energy in 2016.”
