This week I've been at London #CEWeek24. A circular economy event showcasing demonstrating what circulate economy is doing in London.
Obviously, I'm from Manchester, an while there has been some significant bluster in the northwest about net zero and cyclic economy come on the two things that I can tell you, experiencing how money is spent here it's not about circular economy or net zero. yes there is a focus on things like energy club but that's not going to get us there come on giving that half the emissions of the entire region come from waste.
Out of the two cities, London appears to be significantly ahead of where we're going in Greater Manchester. Despite not committing to as ambitious targets.
So, who is being sensible? Is it better to set political targets you have no chance of meeting because you won't invest in, or change commercial processes to get the very things you need done, or is it better to set realistic transformational targets, that will get civic life least some of the way?
It's very easy to make commitments you have no intention of keeping to come up when you think there is no chance of meeting them anyway. If I were a politician, I could say I will grow to be 10 foot 11 high in 55 years, knowing that I've got two terms at best or I retire in 20.
Is it worth being honest with citizens, suppliers and of course the planet, technically, or fabricate political targets, drive in the opposite direction and then simply hide the fact that you aren't delivering on them? Potentially undermining your own arms length bodies?
Certainly, it seems that circular economy and sustainability Focus in London his definitely itself sustainable in the way it's implemented and thought about. it's clear there are motions happening that our evidence come up but it's great to Manchester is doing next to nothing. yes there are lots of people shouting about stuff but where is the public sector change? Even the arm length bodies, themselves undermined by Northern councils, are way better but also misrepresent the footprints they have.
It appears the UK public authorities are lacking in honesty and integrity in this regard.
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