I am Martin Kemp, and I run a micro social-enterprise Moral I.T. C.I.C. which explores and builds a sustainable future. We do this through research and business development. A current research area is the use of advanced digital technologies to help transition to a low carbon future and systems innovation to enable innovative, for-purpose business models.

I provide a mix of business and environment skills, including Marketing (B.A.) and advanced environment and energy studies (MSc) with proven experience in I.T. integration from sole-traders through to corporates. Since 2006 I’ve focused on climate change through small companies, community groups and charities. I’m keen on building on success and been lucky enough to spend many years researching, this included developing a masters course on advanced energy and environment studies and being the research director of Zero Carbon Britain. Ongoing research aids insight and combines with lecturing at masters level including at the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Having worked in regional development for sustainability for the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, I was pleased to come across Renew Wales back home in Wales with similar aims and a focus on the community sector.

Why are you drawn to this area of work

I aim to have the maximum impact possible on climate change. Sharing my knowledge, experience and skills, in a structured way with organisations that need it and often can’t reach it, is an excellent opportunity for impact. On my masters course, a group of us became an organisation to help ‘reset development’, embedding sustainability into international development practices. The outcomes were to help more people with a limited aid budget, empowering people to build their own homes and providing meaningful work while also addressing climate change as a great organisation to help set-up.

Recently I helped a plastic recycling group in Manchester, up-cycling plastic waste into art and useful objects. It was through workshops which also engage with young people and act as team building for organisations. During the Covid pandemic I have worked with many community groups, including community coordination of PPE to ensure those who were protecting us were also protected. Local mass collaboration based on international best practice.

What is your vision of your region in 2050? What will have changed and how will we have got there?

We utilised the learnings from COVID, to put the protection of life and public health centre stage of our policy making. Building on the Welsh Values of sustainability and the future generations act to honor the impact of COVID and pivoted onto a prosperous and sustainable path.

We will have risen to the challenge of climate change; providing a safe climate, saved millions in creating a healthy planet. We live healthier, happier lifestyles which support the community, and in turn, we create virtuous cycles.

We have a bio-regional, convivial and inclusive circular economy which serves people and planet.