Notes on the Front

Thanks to Progressive Gardener for bringing this to my attention.

What would you say to a proposal that would (a) reduce carbon emissions, (b) reduce public expenditure, (c) increase business profits, (d) create new jobs, and (e) remove a particularly nasty bit of pollution.  And all in one proposal?  Sound like fantasy-land?  Then welcome to Bromley, where today’s fantasy is . . well, today’s reality.

In one of his periodic bouts of Green-bashing, the Tanaiste, Michael McDowell, stated that the environment won’t save the economy. 

He recited a Biblical-like litany of economic disasters from recession to emigration to mass unemployment, implying we can avoid all these plagues if we just avert our eyes from a politics that emphasises sustainability.  Well, I suppose in Bromley he’d get even less than 1%, for they have learned that it’s the eco-nomy, stupid.

It’s all about used cooking oil and what to do with it.  This is a real problem in food-associated businessrs (restaurants, hotels, chippers, canteens and catering, etc.).   In the UK, since BSE, used cooking oil is not taken away for free to be used in animal feeds.  Businesses have to pay to for its disposal.  That’s the conscientious ones, anyway.  Others just flush it into the sewers causing blockages and requiring expensive (for the taxpayer) equipment to clean it up.

So a little revolutionary plan – turn the used cooking oil into fuel, or bio-diesel.  Now, the local authority takes away the cooking oil for free (saving businesses money and hassle) and the costs of cleaning up sewage blockages tumble.  The oil is taken to a plant such as Global Commodities in Norfolk where they produce 200,000 litres of bio-diesel which can be run in most small cars and even be used for central heating oil.  In Bromley, the oil is taken to a plant run by the local authority for use in all their vehicles – the first bio-diesel production plant in the urban UK.

This initiative is being produced by a partnership of seven local authorities in London.  In the Southwark Council area they have converted 70 vehicles to run on this used-oil fuel, with the result being that they have saved 160 tonnes of CO2 while reducing particulate emissions, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons.

So, this common-sensical use of public resources to successfully reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality resulting in new jobs and reduced costs for businesses, never mind the savings to the taxpayer of reduced sewage maintenance – well, I’d be interested to know from the Tanaiste if this is helping or hindering the economy.

This is just one small initiative (on the Continent such schemes are further advanced).  It won’t of its own save the planet.  But the joined-up approach by the London authorities – a win-win for both the economy and the environment – puts paid to the idea that prosperity and environmental protection are somehow opposed.

No, Tanaiste, you’re wrong.  The environment will save the economy.  And vice-versa.  In fact, if one loses they both lose.  Their fates are inextricably intertwined.  And Bromley is just one small proof in action.