WORK by firms in Suffolk and Norfolk to showcase the role of the green economy has been backed by a national business guru at an event in London.

British Chambers of Commerce policy director Adam Marshall joined with Iain Dunnett, low carbon development manager at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, to give his backing to the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Green Economy Pathfinder (GEP) manifesto.

“The work of Iain and his colleagues at the GEP is showing that we have to have effective transition to a sustainable economy,” said Mr Marshall. “This will boost economic recovery, create jobs, increase resource security and help make the UK more globally competitive.”

New Anglia’s Green Economy Pathfinder project, which launched its manifesto earlier this year at the House of Lord’s, is led by Mark Pendlington, group director at Anglian Water, who also recently joined the LEP’s main board.

It is bringing together examples of low carbon business successes across Suffolk and Norfolk, and the Government is working with the GEP to promote the leading work taking place in the two counties to the rest of the UK.

“Norfolk and Suffolk have some of the UK’s most dynamic, innovative and ideas-driven businesses and academics, and the GEP project means we can lead the way in helping to transition the green economy of the UK,” said Mr Pendlington.

“We are encouraged that Adam has given his backing to our work. We are about bringing people together to ensure we have one joined up voice that is a real and effective clarion call to Westminster.”

The London event was part of the British Chambers of Commerce Business is Good for Britain campaign which has run throughout 2012.

It is concentrating on how business large and small will lead the UK out of recession and how firms play a fundamental role in the future of the nations prosperity.

“The UK is facing a severe economic test,” said Iain Dunnett. “Restoring growth, reducing the deficit and re-balancing the economy are urgent priorities.

“Therefore our work at the GEP is focusing on barriers to growth that must be removed to shift the economy to a more resilient and resource-efficient path.”