We carry out research assessing progress towards a low carbon economy in the West Midlands. Through this work we're helping advance the evidence base related to the low carbon economy and sustainable development.
Recent research includes:
City Region: opportunities in the low carbon economy
Published 18 May 2010
A detailed review of opportunities in the low carbon economy relevant across the City Region. This project also includes reports for eight local authorities in the City Region, and a technical report with the background data and evidence for the study.
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Low carbon economy in the West Midlands
Published 8 March 2010
This study looks at the economic risks and opportunities across the whole of the West Midlands economy. It aims to help approaches to targeted support to help sectors diversify or become more efficient, not just high profile R&D or high-tech specialist green companies.
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Monitoring reports
Published April–July 2010
We produced several monitoring reports considering progress in the West Midlands on key climate change and sustainable development indicators (supporting datasets and charts are available on the downloads tab at the top of this page).
Strengthening the evidence base
Published 2008/2009
Over 2008/2009 we focussed on strengthening the evidence base around low carbon and sustainable development, building on existing research and drawing strands of evidence together.
A synthesis report (pdf, 358kb) summarises the highlights.
These are the full reports:
The Observatory is a partner in the Sustainable Consumption & Production Network.
Growth into low carbon economy
Published 18 May 2010
City Region: opportunities in the low carbon economy (main report) (pdf, 968kb)
City Region: opportunities in the low carbon economy (technical report) (pdf, 2.8mb)
Published 8 March 2010
Low carbon economy in the West Midlands: main report (pdf, 771kb)
Low carbon economy in the West Midlands: technical report (pdf, 2.4mb)
Monitoring reports
Published 26 April 2010
Understanding the regional index of sustainable economic well-being in the West Midlands 2009 (pdf, 480kb)
West Midlands climate change action plan monitoring report 2009-2010: full report (pdf 460kb)
West Midlands climate change action plan monitoring report 2009-2010: dataset (xls, 4.5mb)
West Midlands climate change action plan monitoring report 2009-2010: charts (pdf, 570kb)
West Midlands greenhouse gas emission monitoring report 2009-2010: full report (pdf, 450kb)
West Midlands greenhouse gas emission monitoring report 2009-2010: dataset (xls, 89kb)
Strengthening the evidence base
Published 15 May 2009
Low carbon economy synthesis report 2008–2009 (pdf, 358kb)
Published 4 March 2009
Understanding the West Midlands' carbon gap (pdf, 334kb)
Published 27 March 2009
Decoupling into a low carbon economy (pdf, 448kb)
Published 26 February 2009
Understanding the regional index of sustainable economic well-being as an indicator of economic growth (pdf, 263kb)
Monitoring the climate change action plan
Published 25 February 2009
Monitoring the climate change action plan - stage one (pdf, 800kb)
Published 27 March 2009
Monitoring the climate change action plan - stage two (pdf, 966kb)
Published 26 March 2009
Key sustainable development indicators 2008–2009 -(poster) (pdf, 83kb)
Key sustainable development indicators 2008–2009 (commentary) (pdf, 32kb)