General sustainability

In 2006, the regional economic strategy included these snapshots of the Northwest:

• The region has 18% fewer businesses per 10,000 adults than the England average. Employment in knowledge-based occupations stands at 36.4%, compared to an England average of 41.8%.
• Rural businesses account for 40% of the business stock, 23% of regional gross value added (GVA) and 25% of employment. However, in the rural economy, agriculture accounts for just 3% of GVA and the service sector 63%.
• Approximately half of school leavers at 16 lack a Level 2 qualification and graduates are under-represented in teh workforce.
• Between 1996 and 2005 the Northwest rail patronage grew by 52% but the region still has the highest trunk road congestion of any region outside London.
• Manchester Airport handles over 22million passengers per year and flies to over 200 destinations worldwide. Liverpool John Lennon Airport continues to develop and in 2007, 5.5million passengers flew to 69 domestic and european destinations.
• The visitor economy is worth some £7 billion per year to the region (7% of the economy), supporting an estimated 400,000 jobs. The cultural sector, broadly defined, contributes an estimated 12% of the region’s GVA.

It is against this background that the regional economic strategy stated a commitment to deliver sustainable economic development. Issues such as environmental impacts, social inclusion and rural affairs have been integrated into the strategy. An indication of this commitment is the Climate Change Action Plan, published in November 2006, which aims to stimulate and measure the progress of the region towards a low carbon economy. It promotes a response to the challenges of a changing climate and the need to meet future energy demands, while protecting and enhancing the region's quality of life and rich environment.

Further details can be found at:
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/progress/regional/index.htm