A raft of new jobs will be created throughout the Midlands as a result of the Electric Vehicle (EV) boom. Analysis by WSP for Midlands Connect shows that nearly 30,000 jobs could be created due to the projected boom in EV use. The analysis shows that 4,575 jobs could be created in EV charge point installation, 4,548 in charge point operation, 665 manufacturing jobs, 1,383 retail jobs, 3,157 energy distribution and storage jobs and 1,754 new energy production roles. The figures also show that 10,872 jobs would be created in energy retail and 1,556 in value-added services. These figures come alongside data released by Midlands Connect which suggests that the Midlands is on the brink of an EV boom and could see over 1.7 million electric cars on its streets by the end of the decade. Figures suggest that the Midlands will see a 2,475% increase in uptake in electric vehicles by the end of 2030, with projections predicting to rise from 68,713 EVs today to 1,769,855 on its roads by the end of 2030. This means nearly a third (28.4%) of all vehicles registered in the Midlands Connect area could be an electric vehicle by the end of 2030.

Nottingham City Council has reinforced its commitment to reaching carbon neutrality by 2028 after receiving accreditation as a Bronze Level Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO). The City Council is the first local authority in Nottinghamshire to achieve this status. This award from the Carbon Literacy Project is internationally recognised and shows that the council is prioritising climate change action through the training of its senior colleagues. City Council Deputy Leader Councillor Sally Longford, along with fellow councillors Zafran Khan and Rosemary Healy, and Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability Wayne Bexton, have all successfully completed their Carbon Literacy Training, becoming among the first people to do so at the City Council. Carbon Literacy Training is an immersive, one-day learning experience which allows participants to better understand the impacts of climate change and the role they play in reducing carbon emissions in the workplace and their own lives. By having senior leaders at the council undertake this training, the council can integrate climate change awareness into strategic decisions that are made. Having Carbon Literate leadership is vital for Nottingham as it provides an opportunity to influence decisions needed to become a more sustainable city and improve its transition to carbon neutrality. The Carbon Literate councillors can use the knowledge they gained through the training in their work – creating a low carbon culture across the council. In January 2020, Nottingham City Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency, acknowledging that urgent action is needed to prevent further damage to the environment. The council has committed to work with Nottingham’s residents, business owners and visitors to reduce emissions in the city, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2028. This target will be achieved by following Nottingham’s Carbon Neutral Action Plan, which includes actions such as further developing climate change awareness, understanding and knowledge among the council’s own staff. Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services, said: “Becoming the first Bronze Level Carbon Literate local authority in Nottinghamshire is another step on the city’s journey to reaching carbon neutrality. “We’re already making great progress towards our climate change targets, through the electrification of our fleet, retrofitting homes across the city and engaging with citizens through the Green Light in the City pop-up space. Undertaking Carbon Literacy Training will allow the council’s leaders to further embed an awareness of carbon emissions into how we work and will help us to mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency on the city. “We know there’s still lots to do, so I would like to encourage everyone in Nottingham to help us achieve our ambition. Everyday actions all add up to make a positive difference, no matter how small they may seem.” Wayne Bexton, Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability, said: “I’m really pleased to be one of the first key leaders within Nottingham City Council to achieve a Carbon Literate accreditation and delighted that we have achieved our bronze status for the whole organisation. The commitment of the council on the sustainability agenda is well known, and this is another step towards our carbon neutral ambitions.”

Commenting on confirmation that the East Midlands freeport has secured formal Government approval, East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “A year on from the exciting plans being unveiled for the East Midlands freeport, today’s confirmation is a huge moment for the region – which can now look forward to a huge economic boost in the decades ahead. Following the end of all Covid-19 restrictions in February, this is another big boost for business confidence. “Our region already has fantastic national and international trading links – something highlighted during the pandemic – and freeport status means we can cement our role at the centre of Britain’s post-Brexit global trading relationship. “We are in a unique position as the only inland freeport among the 10 designated zones, which is testament to East Midlands Airport’s reputation as the country’s most important mover of international freight and the catalyst for the explosive growth we’ve witnessed in our region’s logistics sector in recent years. “This free trade zone, which will have a focus on innovation, low carbon and trade, signals the direction of travel for the East Midlands economy – giving investors something tangible to back in order to deliver the inward investment and jobs that will enable growth. “We’ve already been notified about interest from companies both inside and outside our region that may want to locate themselves at the freeport in order to take advantage of tax breaks at sites including East Midlands Airport, so the green light should pave the way forward for more companies moving into our region. “For our workforce, it will provide much-needed new opportunities for high-skilled, well-paid and more productive jobs – a key priority of this Government and an important driver of growth for the East Midlands economy.”

North East Derbyshire District Council has pledged its long term support to its businesses, working with them to help them thrive. The council played an important role in helping businesses who they regulate be compliant and competitive, to help stop any unnecessary costs and burdens on the business, particularly throughout the pandemic and recovery phase. This friendly advice and support hasn’t gone unnoticed, as a recent survey with food businesses showed glowing feedback for the authority and gratitude for the help and professional manner in which inspectors undertook their visits. One business owner said, “The inspection was carried out in a very pleasant and professional way. I was given lots of advice and tips which was very helpful”. North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Cllr Charlotte Cupit said, “We aren’t just about enforcement and being a hard hitting service. We are when we need to be, but the headline of prosecutions, fixed penalty notices and enforcement campaigns only tell part of the story”. “We work closely with the vast majority of businesses in the district, helping them with regulatory advice and support and guidance so they can thrive and our help is there when needed”. “This support means our residents and communities who visit these premises can enjoy great quality food and drinks, of which we have many fantastic eateries and café’s to enjoy”.

The world’s largest hydraulic crane is heading to the port of Immingham in a £3 million investment by Associated British Ports (ABP). Supplied by Cooper Specialised Handling Ltd, the UK’s leading independent port equipment supplier, the crane, model Mantsinen 300M Hybrilift is currently being built by Mantsinen in Finland. In their early years, the forerunners of today’s 300M were material handlers and have become popular with UK ports for their speed of operation. They have historically however been ‘small cranes for small vessels,’ an ideology that Mantsinen blew away with their 200 series machines in 2008 and the launch of the 300 in 2018. These super-sized machines now have the reach and capacity to serve panamax size vessels and can handle as much as 1500 tonnes per hour – far greater than the rope crane equivalents. Simon Bird, Regional Director for ABP Humber said: “Our investment in buying the world’s largest hydraulic crane shows our commitment to ensuring we have the best plant and equipment on the ports to service our customers’ needs. We’re also thrilled to be the first company in Great Britain to have this giant on our port’.” ABP already operate a fleet of smaller Mantsinen machines across its network of 21 ports, but this will be the first 300 in the fleet and the first delivery into England – Cooper’s first being delivered to Belfast Harbour in 2019. The machine weighs in at 365 tonnes (without attachment) and is diesel powered by an EU stage 5 Volvo 16 litre diesel engine. ABP have opted for an 18.5m curved boom and 14m stick and the machine has a wheeled undercarriage of 6 axles with 4 wheels per axle. The machine will also come supplied with Mantsinen’s cab riser to enable the operator to position the cab in the optimum position over the hold to gain a direct line of sight. The machine also is supplied with a range of automatic and semi-automatic attachments that also reduce the need for direct labour in the holds thus enhancing safety further than if stevedores were slinging. David Cooper, Executive Director of Cooper Specialised Handling said: “ABP have enjoyed high uptime and operational performance with their Mantsinen fleet since 2016, and we are thrilled that ABP have opted for the biggest of them all. It seems quite appropriate that the UK’s largest port by tonnage should invest in a machine that can handle the most tonnage per hour” The new machine is anticipated to arrive as a complete unit in Immingham in April on a direct shipment from Finland together with two 95ER machines destined for Ipswich.