Paul Johnson is the strategic lead driving the green agenda for financial and professional organisation, pro.manchester. Commenting on the Queen’s Speech he said:

“Though an ambitious legislative programme, it is a much needed one. We welcome the government’s intention to promote low carbon production and energy security as well as its pledge to work collaboratively on a global scale to tackle climate change.

“The proposal to introduce a smart grid is a positive measure. When it becomes a reality it will revolutionise the management of supply and demand for electricity and feed excess energy back into the grid.

“While the concept of the Green Investment Bank is a good one, I think it needs to provide finance much lower down the food chain to have greater impact.  It is important the major players in the field have access to funding for low carbon projects, but it’s equally vital SMEs are enabled to develop Cleantech as investment needs to be made at every level in order to reap the rewards and transform the economy.”