Local Democracy asked each of the four West of England metro mayoral candidates to write a 300-word pitch to voters. This is one of those four, from the Greens' Jerome Thomas.

Covid-19 dramatically changed our lives and our economy.

It showed us vividly the need to face up to big challenges and not hide our heads in the sand.

By listening to science, we can plan intelligently for a positive future.

Climate change in particular must be central to everything we do and we must create a future which offers opportunities to everyone.

That is why the Green Party has drawn up a Green New Deal for the West of England.

It is a bold plan and it needs to be.

We need to reduce carbon emissions by over 13 per cent every year, as a bare minimum.

We must reject a future of airport expansion and road building and choose this better green path now.

Our region has a vibrant and resilient economy.

We are already leaders in green business and ideas which can be developed and scaled up, with the potential for creating thousands of jobs.

On top of this we need to create good quality jobs and services in the growing care economy: the paid and unpaid work done bringing up children, looking after the elderly and others who need care.

The Green New Deal is not a pipe dream.

I know from my years of experience as a successful business director and as a city councillor that it can be done.

We have the resources to get us started – I will work to free up £1billion from existing funds for investment in our future.

Going green is good for our economy and our health as well as for our wildlife. In fact it is the only way forward.

To make this happen we need to work together – I'll give local communities the power to take action they know is needed on their doorsteps.

Here's to the future – vote Green!