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How can we rebuild our local economies and transform the way we live, to create sustainable development and well-being for people, the planet, and future generations? 4theRegion is a cross-sector network that brings together people, businesses, large organisations, community groups and educational institutions - who care about the future of South West Wales, and the wellbeing of our communities, and want to make a difference. The 4theRegion podcast is a way to stay connected with the huge range of different conversations and events that we host with people and organisations across the region. Our goal is to strengthen communication and collaboration across our region, so that everyone feels more positive, more empowered and better able to contribute to a happier, healthier and more resilient future. Our mantra is that the future of our region is in our hands - as the people, businesses and organisations of South West Wales. As you’ll hear, again and again, through the events and conversations that we host, there is so much happening, so many exciting projects and initiatives, so much important work, and so many reasons to feel positive and inspired. We think South West Wales is surely the BEST place to live and work in the whole of the UK - if not the world! - and we hope that by tuning into this podcast you will find nuggets of information and a general sense of empowerment, so that together we can co-create a happier, healthier future and a thriving economy, for Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.
Episodes
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
In the first of our Monthly Meetups in 2024, Dawn launches 4theRegion's Year of Opportunities, with a call for partners and organisations across South West Wales to share their opportunities through our inclusive cross-sector network.
In this facilitated conversation, participants shared their thoughts about some of our region's diverse opportunities for people, businesses and communities to thrive.
www.4theRegion.org.uk
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
It's time for all businesses to take seriously the need to reduce their carbon emissions - and that starts with measuring your footprint and tracking the change over time. BIC Innovation has partnered with Greener Edge to offer a new commercial solution: Trac-C - a package of support and expertise to help organisations move forward in tackling scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. This is clearly important from a climate perspective, but there are lots of other good reasons for businesses to get started (or continue) their decarbonisation journey in a meaningful way, as Huw Watkins explains in this interview with Dawn Lyle from 4theRegion.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. This episode features discussions focusing on the efforts of promoting food resilience in the region.
Register to attend the Green Economy Conference here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/green-economy- conference-south-west-wales-tickets-710300928197
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
Abi Marriott - PLANED - Pembrokeshire Food Partnership
Mary Duckett - Bwyd Abertawe
Wendy Mackay - The Wendy House Project part of NPT Food Partnership
Joanne Haines - Car Y Mor
Augusta Lewis - Bwyd Sir Gar
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. This episode features discussions focusing on the efforts of promoting biodiversity and nature within the region.
Register to attend the Green Economy Conference here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/green-economyconference-south-west-wales-tickets-710300928197
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
Rhianne Jones - Lead Specialist Advisor, Natural Resources Wales
Huw Williams - Senior Technical Officer, Natural Resources Wales
Rachel Carter - Local Places for Nature Officer, One Voice Wales
James Moore - NPT Working with Nature project, UWTSD
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Dawn Lyle speaks to Gary Walpole from CEIC (Circular Economy Innovation Communities) about the success of the project in inspiring behaviour change within public sector organisations in Wales. Now, businesses and third sector organisations can enrol in this game-changing training programme, which is co-hosted by Swansea & Cardiff Universities.
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales.
This episode features discussions focusing on innovations in the green economy. Register to attend the Green Economy Conference here: https://www.4theregion.org.uk/green-economy-conference/
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
- Dawn Lyle, 4theRegion: Host of the conversation and representative of the Regional Green Economy Conference.
- Peter Lord, Pembrokeshire Council
- Chris Bailey, Swansea University SPECIFIC project
- Gareth Davies, Swansea University
- Huw Watkins, BIC Innovation
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. The episode features discussions focusing on sustainable methods of transport such as rail, community transport, and innovations in the move to greener methods of transport.
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
- Dawn Lyle, 4theRegion: Host of the conversation and representative of the Regional Green Economy Conference.
- Rich Middleton, Wales Growth Manager, GWR
- Emma Bingham - Community Transport Association
- Rod Bowen, Development Officer at Dolen Teifi
- Caroline Wilson - Green Dragon Bus
- Robert Lloyd - Swansea Council, Community Transport
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
This discussion is part of a series of conversations focused on the region's green economy. The Green Economy Conference, happening in November, aims to bring together businesses and organizations to discuss the growth of the green economy in South West Wales. The episode features discussions on related to materials, waste and the new Workplace Recycling Wales laws coming into effect next year.
The speakers in the discussion are as follows:
- Dawn Lyle, 4theRegion: Host of the conversation and representative of the Regional Green Economy Conference.
- Andy Rees, Head of Waste Strategy for the Welsh Government
- Andrew Wright, Commercial Director at Griffiths Group
- Gareth Thomas, Head of Marketing at Griffiths Group
- Owain Griffiths, Director at Circular Resource Specialists
- Diane Thomas, Waste Strategy and Policy Officer for Carmarthenshire Council
- Sean Gallagher, Managing Director at Cwm Environmental
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
In this roundtable discussion, we delve deep into the realm of sustainable energy in South West Wales, shedding light on the inspiring work of renewable champions in the region. Hosted jointly by Low Carbon Swansea Bay and 4theRegion, this episode brings together experts and advocates to explore both the opportunities and barriers in the path to a greener, more sustainable future for Wales.
Short project presentations/updates included:
Awel Aman Tawe
Egni Co-op
Gower Power
Hiraeth Energy
Afallen
Marine Energy Wales
Gwynt Glas
Discover the innovative initiatives and projects that are transforming the energy landscape in South West Wales and learn about the individuals and organisations driving these changes. This event is part of a series of topical discussions leading up to the eagerly anticipated regional Green Economy Conference in November.
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
In this interview, Dawn Lyle discusses with Jane Davidson, Chair of the Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group for Wales, the ambitious project to accelerate Wales’ Net Zero target from 2050 to 2035. Jane explains that the project, titled ‘Wales Net Zero Challenge, 2035’, was initiated from an agreement between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru in 2021.
The group aims to provide independent advice on potential pathways to achieving net zero emissions by 2035 (bringing the date forward from 2050), considering the societal and economic impacts and how adverse effects can be mitigated. The project also looks at how costs and benefits can be shared fairly across Wales.
The group is seeking evidence and insights on several key areas: how Wales can feed itself by 2035; meeting energy needs while phasing out fossil fuels; heating and building homes and workplaces by 2035; connecting people and places across Wales by 2035; and what education, jobs and work could look like across Wales by 2035. They are also focusing on the future of education and work in relation to a move away from a fossil fuel economy.
Jane emphasises that the work of the group is underpinned by the latest academic evidence provided by the Wales Centre for Public Policy. She invites all interested parties to contribute their views and evidence towards the project by Christmas, with the aim of having a draft proposal ready for public consultation in the Spring of next year.
The interview concludes on a hopeful note, with Jane highlighting the potential for Wales to lead the way not only in the UK but globally in terms of finding pragmatic and equitable solutions to achieve net zero.
This conversation was recorded in September 2023, in the run up to the South West Wales Green Economy Conference (Nov 2023).