Businesses are leading the way to boost the South West and are calling on the Government to do the same.
The boss of Pennon Plc, Devon and Cornwall's biggest employer said it has introduced a raft of measures to support the region's green recovery, including £81m investment and 500 new jobs.
And while the region does what it can to support itself - recognition from the Government will turbo charge its race to be the first net zero region in the 海角视频.
Susan Davy, Chief Executive of Pennon said that the South West economy had been one of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: " These initiatives are Pennon’s contribution to what should be a huge joint effort between national and local government to release investment for the greater South West so we can realise the ambition of becoming the first green region in the 海角视频 and level up after the pandemic."
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She was speaking after the publication of an open letter to the PM Boris Johnson calling on him to make good on his promises to the region.
Bill Martin, publisher of the Western Morning News has spearheaded the #BackTheGreatSouthWest campaign alongside Pennon and the region's LEPs to showcase its green powerhouse ambitions to become the first region to reach net zero.
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Mr Martin said that the region has had five years of 'warm words' from the Government about its vision and despite fulfilling its side of the bargain to produce a robust business case had not received the backing from the Government.
Recent research by Pennon shows that all but two of the eighteen constituencies in Devon and Cornwall are below the England and Wales average on spending power, such as employment rates and average wages.
But it has the power to deliver on its natural assets.
She said: "The region has such huge potential. A natural environment the envy of many, a tourist trade contributing significantly to the regional economy, a thriving aerospace and manufacturing sector, innovative agri-food industry and huge opportunities for sustainable energy generation.
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"We, as one of the largest companies in the region, are playing our part, with our Green Recovery investments and job creation. That’s on top of the work we’re doing on jobs and skills programmes, recruiting for the government backed Kickstart scheme, up to another 500 apprentices and now graduates onto our new programme to keep top talent in the region."
The Great South West's plans to become the 海角视频’s first region to reach net zero and the only exporter of green energy were praised by the PM in the lead up to June's G7 Summit in Cornwall.
It is asking for support for an enhanced import and export hub, recognition of a South West Tourism Zone and agreement to create a rural productivity deal.
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Business leaders say it is crucial that the region helps itself, to show Whitehall it's not just asking for handouts. Applegate’s Chief Executive, Stuart Brocklehurst is behind SupplyDevon, a joint initiative between his procurement platform, Barnstaple-based Applegate, Bristol’s Ghyston and the University of Exeter. It uses Artificial Intelligence to match local suppliers with councils, NHS Trusts and businesses.
Mr Brocklehurst said: “This helps keep money circulating within the local economy, boosting economic growth and it also reduces carbon emissions from the unnecessary transport of goods.
"If we’re to make the case for government to place greater focus on the South West, we need to demonstrate we’re taking every opportunity to support the region ourselves.”
He said it is in the country’s interests to ensure the South West thrives.
He said: “A stronger economy here isn’t just good for locals, it means more tax receipts for the Treasury to spend on the NHS, on schools and other vital services, it means a lower welfare cost and it will be achieved by unleashing the creativity of South West entrepreneurs to address climate change, to improve people’s lives and make the world a better place”.