Hebden Bridge News

SDC Applauds Innovative Local Food Project

At an event in London today attended by HRH the Prince of Wales, the Sustainable Development Commission will unveil a local project as one of 19 Breakthrough ideas which could transform the UK into a sustainable society.

The SDC’s Breakthroughs for the 21st Century project sets out to identify the ideas which could make the biggest impact on Britain’s efforts to tackle climate change, resource depletion and inequality. Almost 300 ideas were submitted by the public, businesses, academics, and sustainability professionals of which 19 were selected by SDC Commissioners as potential Breakthroughs.

The 19 individuals and groups behind the final selection will showcase their ideas at today’s conference, hosted by Anna Ford, Jonathan Dimbleby and Rosie Boycott, where they will be paid a special visit by HRH the Prince of Wales. 400 high-level community, business, public service and Government representatives will be present to discuss how to make the ideas a national reality.

The 19 final Breakthroughs ideas were selected by Commissioners from almost 300 submissions from the public, businesses, academics, communities, NGOs and sustainability professionals.

Among the 19 final ideas selected as representing potential Breakthroughs is Incredible Edible Todmorden, a pioneering local project which seeks to increase the amount of local food grown in both public and private spaces, and eaten within the town. The project has been championed from the beginning by Channel 4’s River Cottage presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Speaking about the projects, SDC Chair Jonathon Porritt said:
“Progress on sustainable development, at the national level, has been slow. Yet all over the country, there are people taking action to make their own communities more sustainable, driving forward technological innovations, and pushing the policy agenda with really big ideas.

“Some of the Breakthrough ideas we’ve selected represent cutting-edge innovation and imagination; others are familiar but powerful ideas whose time has come. We wanted to celebrate the hard work behind these ideas, and start a bigger conversation about how the UK can best take these – and a host of other great ideas – forward. We’ve been talking about it for long enough. What we’ve got to do now is make it happen.”

Pam Warhurst of Incredible Edible Todmorden said: “We want it to be second nature for people to grow and cook their own food. We know we can make our future healthier and brighter.”

The report Breakthroughs for the 21st Century is available to download on the SDC’s website at www.sd-commission.org.uk.