8 years ago I was given the British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours list. Last month I handed it back. I want to explain why. TL; DR: Climate Change
1/23

In 2006 I was working in the Brecon Beacons but a car accident, and the injuries I sustained, meant that I lost my job. I was told I might never work again. But I was lucky. 2/23

During my first year or so of recovery I had problems with my speech and couldn’t get out much, so spent my days working on spreadsheets for a green energy project that was somewhere in my head. 3/23

I eventually got well enough to work again. And in my spare time I put into practice my green energy ideas. I heard about a £1 million climate change innovation prize, which a mate and I entered, and eventually and unbelievably, we won. 4/23

We didn’t win a million, but received enough to start work on our pretty simple idea: Work with welsh farmers to develop micro hydropower schemes and use profits to build ones owned by the community. 5/23

We wanted to set up a local supply chain, so that the design, construction and manufacturing all came from the local area. A local economy, not an extractive one. Profits go back into the environment, because the planet is the real bottom line 6

The early days were reliant on volunteers. We set up a community-owned construction company and ended up with 60 or so farms becoming mini power stations and maybe a dozen communities owning their own schemes. We set up woodland groups, food growing projects. 7

We even helped set up welsh hydro turbine manufacturers. Someone, somewhere, noticed and one day I received a letter from the Prime Minister saying I was being offered an honour for “Services to the Renewable Energy Industry in Wales”. 8/23

At the time I was embarrassed at being singled out, as the success was based on dozens of people’s effort rather than mine alone. But despite my reservations I thought accepting the award would provide some shine to them. 9/23

Also, at that time my mum was struggling with the loss of my dad, so I thought that an award like this would make her happier. I think it probably did. 10/23

However, at pretty much the same time politicians began to sabotage the green energy industry. Too many examples to mention, like tax increases for green tech, tax cuts for fossil fuels or licence fees going up by over 1000% 11/23

Each month brought soundbites from politicians on how serious they were on climate, yet the same people dismantle hope with policies that favour fossil fuel, corporate industry and an extractive economy. 12/23

And here’s the rub. Many of these politicians have similar awards, usually for public service or something, and having seen how these recipients act, how they fail to deliver any meaningful change, I want nothing to do with it. 13/23

I have great admiration for those people who receive awards for what they’ve voluntarily given to society. The fosterers, the local sport organisers and those who have dedicated their lives to helping others. I hope I cause no offence to any of them. 14/23

But at its core this is a system that is underwritten by hereditary privilege, a royal family with a dubious record on climate change and a story of Empire that needs to be better told than it is. 15/23

Too many people in positions of power, who could be helping our species tackle the worlds greatest threat, are instead jockeying for good favour in the hope of a gong. I can’t sign up to that anymore. I don’t want *this* after my name. 16/23

It galls me to see the Prince of Wales talking up the need to tackle climate change whilst flying by private jet to a golf tournament, or staying silent as the future green economy of Wales is shackled. 17/23

Political choices are being made in Wales and the UK that threaten the very function of our ecosystem. Decisions that will cause suffering to the most vulnerable people on earth. 18/23

I can’t pretend anymore that the pomp and deference means anything. We don’t need trinkets, we need absolute pedal-to-the-floor action on tackling climate change. We need authenticity, strength of character, people who actually stand for something. 19/23

I appreciate that this looks like posturing. That I’m trying to make a political point. And I am, because I’ll be standing again for election in Brecon and Radnorshire next May. 20/23

But having a point to what you do is important. Being kind, standing up to the bullies, tackling inequality and the ecological crisis are what matter, not shuffling for a position of rank or privilege. 21/23

Wales needs people in charge who understand that a post-Covid economic recovery and a green revolution are the same thing. Even better if they know what this looks like in practice. 22/23

And yes, maybe I should have refused originally. Perhaps my ego took control for a while. But if my mum was still alive she would probably say something like “Do whatever makes you happy Grenner”. So I have, and it’s freeing to be myself again. End