Episodes
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Dawn Lyle from 4theRegion sits down with experts in environmental assessments and sustainability, to discuss how businesses can get the advice and support they need to decarbonise their operations.
We talk about why this is important from the perspective of supplying into large businesses and public sector organisations, and some of the risks and pitfalls associated with not taking your green credentials seriously.
This roundtable discussion is part of the build up to the 4theRegion Green Economy Conference & Exhibition for South West Wales, taking place in Swansea Arena on Tuesday 19th November 2024.
Our Panellists for this conversation were:
Alex Ross, Director of Circular Resource SpecialistsEnock Ebbah from Ebbah Sustainovation Ltd - Find Enock on LinkedInMark Grant from the Welsh Government Sustainable Food & Drink ClusterMaxwell Green from ARCS (Applied Research For Circular Solutions) at Swansea UniversityLeon Edwards, Carbon Solutions Specialist with AuditelFind out more at:https://www.4theregion.org.uk/green-economy-conference-2024/
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Welcome to the first of our Round Table discussions leading up to the regional Green Economy Conference on the 19th November at Swansea Arena. In this episode, we dive into community-led housing initiatives that are paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive future in South West Wales.
Our Panel:
Sarah Foster: Pembrokeshire Community Led Housing Development Officer at PLANED;
Jonathan Hughes: Community Led Housing Advisor for Cwmpas;
Adam Land: Board Member of Gwyr Community Land Trust, on the Gower Peninsula;
Leonie Ramondt and Adrian Lester, from Swansea Co-Housing.
Together, they discuss the vision of affordable, sustainable homes in cohesive neighbourhoods and the challenges of making this vision a reality amidst the current property market and land use issues. From rural to urban settings, our panel explores alternative ways of building, living, and fostering community spirit.
And please register your place at the Green Economy Conference on 19th November 2024:
https://www.4theregion.org.uk/green-economy-conference-2024/
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Episodes manquant?
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Today we're talking about the circular economy. The transition away from the consumer economy and towards an economy that actually serves our wellbeing is going to take many forms, and it is happening across Wales as a whole and across the world. We discuss opportunities that exist, and what people, businesses and organisations are doing to strengthen our circular economy: What do we think is needed now and in future, and how we might collaborate to really develop and enhance circular economy principles and practices.
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Community resilience is a subject that is really close to our hearts at 4theregion. A big part of our work is to enable the kind of collaboration and empowerment and place-based activities that are essential for building resilient connected local places, cohesive and connected communities and empowering people within communities to step up and play their part, and do all the amazing, wonderful things, many of which are represented in today's meeting, to build those resilient local places where we all want to live and work. Thank you for tuning in!
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The sustainable food movement is gaining ground across South West Wales, with a raft of projects and initiatives underway. Transforming the way we produce and procure our food requires a whole system approach. In this discussion, hear from all four of South West Wales' local food partnerships, for an update on what's happening in Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire. From support for community growing, to fresh food vending machines, to the allocation of public land for public goods, there is plenty to feel positive about and much more that is needed. Thank you for tuning in!
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Hear from a wide range of projects and organisations, about their work to support young people in our region. From employment skills to apprenticeships to life coaching, colleagues from across South West Wales shared their updates on initiatives to ensure young people in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire have the opportunity to flourish. This is part of a series of monthly conversations convened by 4theRegion to explore the opportunities that exist for people and businesses in South West Wales.
Find out more and join 4theRegion: www.4theRegion.org.uk
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4theRegion brought together people with an interest in construction, from Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, to share perspectives on the challenges faced by the sector, and the opportunities it presents for businesses and people in our region. This conversation is part of a series of cross-sector discussions convened monthly by 4theRegion, which is an alliance of businesses, community groups and other organisations based in South West Wales. Find out more on our website, www.4theRegion.org.uk
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4theRegion convened an open discussion about the opportunities in South West Wales' creative economy - part of our series of monthly meetups to explore opportunities across different sectors in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. Listen in, as people, businesses and organisations share updates, announcements and perspectives on our creative sector!
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Edward Morgan from Castell Howell Foods reflects on the real challenges for regional farmers, a sense of despondency among farming families, and the vital importance of supporting local farmers - especially given the vulnerability of our global food supply chains. Ed also describes some of the more complex barriers to local food procurement by public bodies in Wales, and some chinks of light happening in the system - which are very positive, but not enough....
This conversation was recorded by 4theRegion as part of our Public Plate Procurement Learning Journey in partnership with Swansea & NPT PSBs and Bwyd Abertawe.
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In the first of our Monthly Meetups in 2024, Dawn launches 4theRegion's Year of Opportunities, with a call for partners and organisations across South West Wales to share their opportunities through our inclusive cross-sector network.
In this facilitated conversation, participants shared their thoughts about some of our region's diverse opportunities for people, businesses and communities to thrive.
www.4theRegion.org.uk
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It's time for all businesses to take seriously the need to reduce their carbon emissions - and that starts with measuring your footprint and tracking the change over time. BIC Innovation has partnered with Greener Edge to offer a new commercial solution: Trac-C - a package of support and expertise to help organisations move forward in tackling scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. This is clearly important from a climate perspective, but there are lots of other good reasons for businesses to get started (or continue) their decarbonisation journey in a meaningful way, as Huw Watkins explains in this interview with Dawn Lyle from 4theRegion.
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This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. This episode features discussions focusing on the efforts of promoting food resilience in the region.
Register to attend the Green Economy Conference here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/green-economy- conference-south-west-wales-tickets-710300928197
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
Abi Marriott - PLANED - Pembrokeshire Food Partnership
Mary Duckett - Bwyd Abertawe
Wendy Mackay - The Wendy House Project part of NPT Food Partnership
Joanne Haines - Car Y Mor
Augusta Lewis - Bwyd Sir Gar
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This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. This episode features discussions focusing on the efforts of promoting biodiversity and nature within the region.Register to attend the Green Economy Conference here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/green-economyconference-south-west-wales-tickets-710300928197
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:Rhianne Jones - Lead Specialist Advisor, Natural Resources WalesHuw Williams - Senior Technical Officer, Natural Resources WalesRachel Carter - Local Places for Nature Officer, One Voice WalesJames Moore - NPT Working with Nature project, UWTSD
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Dawn Lyle speaks to Gary Walpole from CEIC (Circular Economy Innovation Communities) about the success of the project in inspiring behaviour change within public sector organisations in Wales. Now, businesses and third sector organisations can enrol in this game-changing training programme, which is co-hosted by Swansea & Cardiff Universities.
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This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales.
This episode features discussions focusing on innovations in the green economy. Register to attend the Green Economy Conference here: https://www.4theregion.org.uk/green-economy-conference/
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
- Dawn Lyle, 4theRegion: Host of the conversation and representative of the Regional Green Economy Conference.
- Peter Lord, Pembrokeshire Council
- Chris Bailey, Swansea University SPECIFIC project
- Gareth Davies, Swansea University
- Huw Watkins, BIC Innovation
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This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. The episode features discussions focusing on sustainable methods of transport such as rail, community transport, and innovations in the move to greener methods of transport.
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
- Dawn Lyle, 4theRegion: Host of the conversation and representative of the Regional Green Economy Conference.
- Rich Middleton, Wales Growth Manager, GWR
- Emma Bingham - Community Transport Association
- Rod Bowen, Development Officer at Dolen Teifi
- Caroline Wilson - Green Dragon Bus
- Robert Lloyd - Swansea Council, Community Transport
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This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. The episode features discussions on related to materials, waste and the new Workplace Recycling Wales laws coming into effect next year.
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
- Dawn Lyle, 4theRegion: Host of the conversation and representative of the Regional Green Economy Conference.
- Andy Rees, Head of Waste Strategy for the Welsh Government
- Andrew Wright, Commercial Director at Griffiths Group
- Gareth Thomas, Head of Marketing at Griffiths Group
- Owain Griffiths, Director at Circular Resource Specialists
- Diane Thomas, Waste Strategy and Policy Officer for Carmarthenshire Council
- Sean Gallagher, Managing Director at Cwm Environmental
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In this roundtable discussion, we delve deep into the realm of sustainable energy in South West Wales, shedding light on the inspiring work of renewable champions in the region. Hosted jointly by Low Carbon Swansea Bay and 4theRegion, this episode brings together experts and advocates to explore both the opportunities and barriers in the path to a greener, more sustainable future for Wales.
Short project presentations/updates included:
Awel Aman Tawe
Egni Co-op
Gower Power
Hiraeth Energy
Afallen
Marine Energy Wales
Gwynt Glas
Discover the innovative initiatives and projects that are transforming the energy landscape in South West Wales and learn about the individuals and organisations driving these changes. This event is part of a series of topical discussions leading up to the eagerly anticipated regional Green Economy Conference in November.
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In this interview, Dawn Lyle discusses with Jane Davidson, Chair of the Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group for Wales, the ambitious project to accelerate Wales’ Net Zero target from 2050 to 2035. Jane explains that the project, titled ‘Wales Net Zero Challenge, 2035’, was initiated from an agreement between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru in 2021.
The group aims to provide independent advice on potential pathways to achieving net zero emissions by 2035 (bringing the date forward from 2050), considering the societal and economic impacts and how adverse effects can be mitigated. The project also looks at how costs and benefits can be shared fairly across Wales.
The group is seeking evidence and insights on several key areas: how Wales can feed itself by 2035; meeting energy needs while phasing out fossil fuels; heating and building homes and workplaces by 2035; connecting people and places across Wales by 2035; and what education, jobs and work could look like across Wales by 2035. They are also focusing on the future of education and work in relation to a move away from a fossil fuel economy.
Jane emphasises that the work of the group is underpinned by the latest academic evidence provided by the Wales Centre for Public Policy. She invites all interested parties to contribute their views and evidence towards the project by Christmas, with the aim of having a draft proposal ready for public consultation in the Spring of next year.
The interview concludes on a hopeful note, with Jane highlighting the potential for Wales to lead the way not only in the UK but globally in terms of finding pragmatic and equitable solutions to achieve net zero.
This conversation was recorded in September 2023, in the run up to the South West Wales Green Economy Conference (Nov 2023).
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Bwyd Abertawe is Swansea's local food partnership, and is collaborating with 4theRegion and Castell Howell Foods to support an increase in the volume of veg grown on the Gower Peninsular and generally across the Swansea Bay area. This project is part of a wide range of activities across South West Wales which seek to strengthen our local food supply chains and our regional horticultural sector.
This conversation brought together:
Dawn Lyle, 4theRegionEdward Morgan, Castell Howell FoodsLucy Hole, Secret Hospitality GroupIan Chriswick, Gower CollegeSarah Gould, LantraRichard Bond, Food & Drink WalesSupporting Local Producers: Lucy Hole emphasised Secret Hospitality’s commitment to support local producers across Swansea Bay, highlighting their collaboration with Castell Howell. However, they acknowledged that the volume of produce this year has presented challenges, preventing them from fully supporting local producers.
Richard Bond from the Food & Drink Wales project, brought a broader perspective to the discussion. The Food & Drink Wales project is responsible for promoting Welsh food and drink in Wales, the UK and internationally. Their vision is to create a strong and vibrant Welsh food and drink sector with a global reputation for excellence, having one of the most environmentally and socially responsible supply chains in the world.
Ian Chriswick from Gower College shared insights from the GCS Green Hwb project. The Green Hwb project delivers qualifications in horticulture. Produce from the project will be used to go to local causes, with the first crop of the year supporting projects such as the Phoenix Centre and The Nelson Trust. This project demonstrates the potential of food production as a means of support for local initiatives.
Sarah Gould, of Lantra (who run the Farming Connect project) added to the discussion with her industry expertise. The Farming Connect project supports Welsh farmers with business support and training. Andrew Stevens, a livestock farmer and the Champion for Rural Economy at Swansea Council, shared insights from a farming perspective.
Challenges and Obstacles: Ed Morgan from Castell Howell led a discussion on the challenges faced by local producers and the wider food industry. He emphasised the globalisation of the food supply chain in recent decades, leaving communities vulnerable to supply disruptions. Food security has become a concern, particularly in light of recent environmental factors impacting food production and supply chains.
Ed highlighted the need for a template or framework for engaging with growers and supporting them financially and operationally. The challenge, as identified, includes the timing of produce availability, weather disruptions, and land acquisition by renewable energy industries.
The group discussed various strategies to address these obstacles, including:
Engaging with Growers: Collaboratively engaging with growers to understand their capacity and requirements, and committing to support on factors like seed costs, staff expenses and machinery.
Educational Engagement: Focusing on the educational sector by working with schools and colleges to bridge the gap and introduce young people to farming. Exploring the potential link between education and the industry to support catering students and foster a stronger connection between educational institutions, restaurants and local producers.
Competing with Global Markets: Developing strategies to compete with growers in England and abroad by focusing on quality, value, and experience.
Logistics and Distribution: Recognising the importance of logistics and distribution for small growers, and exploring partnerships with distributors like Castell Howell.
The meeting concluded with a recognition of the complex challenges facing local producers in Swansea Bay. However, there was an optimistic outlook on the potential for collaboration and support from various sectors to overcome these challenges. The group committed to further discussions and action plans to enhance the support for local producers and strengthen the regional food supply chain.
4theRegion is keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in this project, please contact [email protected]
Project updates will be published here: https://www.4theregion.org.uk/projects/gower-grown/
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