BOLTON will be at the heart of a campaign to boost jobs in the green energy sector.

A national touring cam- paign, the Climate Jobs Caravan, will be in Bolton on Monday, May 21, and a planning meeting for the visit is being held tomor- row in Bolton.

Throughout the tour, there will be meetings, exhibitions and publicity events.

Tomorrow’s meeting is at Bolton Socialist Club, at 6 Wood Street, from noon to 2pm.

A public meeting with various speakers is planned in Bolton for Mon- day, May 21. Details will be confirmed nearer the time.

According to the cam- paign, one million climate change-linked jobs could be created across the coun- tryinabidtocutCO2 emissions by 80 per cent.

It will be calling for the Government to set up a National Climate Service to invest in climate jobs. Neil McAlister, secretary of Bolton TUC, said “We need to debate alternative economic ideas to current policies.

“Bolton is suffering through increasing unem- ployment. We need a future for young people who need jobs when they leave school, college or university.

“This campaign will be welcomed in Bolton as a real contribution to the economic debate. It will help demonstrate that investment in the environ- ment is of benefit to every- one.”

Julie Hilling, Labour MP for Bolton West, who is also backing the campaign said: “I am pleased the Cli- mate Jobs Caravan will be visiting Bolton.

“Climate change is an issue that affects us all and it is vital the benefits of reducing carbon emissions are highlighted locally.

“Energy-efficient tech- nology is still in its infancy and events such as this can stimulate discussion about the potential, economical- ly and socially, of explor- ing new forms of renew- able energy.”

Dr Emma Gardner, chair- man of Greater Manches- ter Chamber of Commerce’s Green Econo- my Group, said: “It is important local business- es, communities and resi- dents benefit from the opportunities presented by the green economy.

“Businesses need to implement low carbon technologies, but they need incentives to do this EMMA GARDNER “More Greater Manches- ter businesses need to implement low carbon technologies and other measures, but they need the incentives and assis- tance to do this.”

Green and low energy industry is a growing sec- tor in Bolton. In February, Intelligent Energy Solu- tions announced its first franchisee, Smart Renew- ables Ltd, which will be managed by Bolton entre- preneur Ken Brown.

Covering the North West, Mr Brown, aged 48, of Smithills, hopes to create vacancies for surveyors, equipment installers and support staff.

Last summer Farnworth businessman David Birch acquired the UK distribu- tion rights for Flexiwarm, a heating system which uses a material sandwiched between metal, glass, wood or plastic, which heats up using power from batteries or solar panels. It was installed at the new 2,000 sq ft Lincoln House office.

MHA Lighting, of Ather- ton, has enjoyed major contracts installing low energy lighting for hospi- tals, Manchester Airport and Birmingham’s NEC.

In 2010, Bolton builder Seddons built a £7 million green primary school in Weaste, Salford, with its own wind turbine and solar panels.