Client: Department of Trade and Industry
Country: United Kingdom
Period: 2002 onwards

Jonathan Lonsdale is acting as a Project Adviser to the Environmental Innovation and Growth Team(IGT).  The IGT has been established by the Department of Trade and Industry to improve the competitiveness of the UK's environmental goods and services sector in both the UK and overseas markets.  The desired outcomes of the initiative are a better balance of trade and higher employment, while helping the UK economy to meet current and future environmental performance targets cost-effectively.  Through the use of a series of working groups, the IGT will recommend actions to stimulate the UK market for environmental goods and services, as well as actions to develop the supply-side.  The issue on the demand-side is to shape environmental drivers(notably climate change policy,IPPC and SRI) so as to develop a more competitve UK supplier base while meeting primary environmental objectives.  Supply-side issues include a better access to investment, supply chain development, knowledge management and improving the skills base.  The outcomes must include solutions that are fast and easy to put into action, and an effective mechanism for maintaining industry - Government dialogue and ensuring implementation of the IGT action plan.  This mechanism is likely to be based on regional structures.