The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy in South West England, investing to unlock the region's business potential. Our three-year corporate plan - set within a 20 year outlook - sets out how we will do this. 
 
The South West's economy has grown faster than the UK average over the past 10 years and we need to plan for its continued success. However, productivity rates in South West England are lower than elsewhere, and current turbulence in the financial markets may bring to an end a long period of economic growth. Climate change and globalisation are major issues for the future of our economy.  
 
Given these challenges, our core strategy is focused on:

• Creating the conditions for productivity-led growth

We believe that we can make the most difference to the region's economy by investing to unlock the region's business potential and drive up productivity. We seek to continue the gradual improvement in South West productivity as measured by GVA/hour relative to UK average. 
 
To drive up productivity, we will focus on people's skills, innovation, the environment, enterprise and transport and communications infrastructure.

• Developing a low carbon economy

We believe we have an important role in helping the region's economy prepare for the implications and business opportunities that climate change will bring. We seek to reduce the region's contribution of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) relative to GVA as measured by tonnes of GHG per £'000 of GVA. 
 
To reduce our own and the region's carbon foot print, we are going to work to make our overall annual interventions zero carbon by 2013.

• Creating successful places

To make a difference we must concentrate our efforts in priority places rather than spread the jam too thinly. We will help key places in the region develop so that they are ready to accommodate growth, maximise business opportunities and adapt to change in the future. We seek to improve the rankings of priority places as measured by the FDI's European Cities and Regions of the Future index. 
 
To make key places in the region more productive, sustainable and efficient so that they are ready to accommodate growth, adapt to change and unlock business potential, we will focus more of our effort and investment in specific places.