Eastern Region missing out on new generation of green jobs

04 September 2008

New report says UK falling behind EU neighbours in transition to green economy

Norwich Councillor Rupert Read, prospective Green Party MEP for Eastern Region, has called for greater investment in green industries and skills training for workers to help transform the Eastern Region to a low-carbon economy.

New research has found that there is huge potential in the UK for job creation in green industries including renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes, which is not yet being exploited. The report also warns of a skills gap in the UK which will hold back our ability to capitalise on the green revolution unless it is addressed now.

Dr. Read said:

"The UK is currently lagging far behind its European neighbours in terms of green jobs. For instance, in Germany there are currently around 250,000 jobs in renewable energy, while in the UK there are 26,000 at best. East Anglia is brimming with wind energy potential, particularly offshore. A sustained program of wind energy investment would benefit the regional economy in the current financial downturn. Thousands of local jobs could be created to provide renewable energy for our region, boosting energy security at a time when imported energy prices are sky-rocketing. It would also deliver significant cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, replacing fossil fuel derived energy."

"Forty per cent of the wind capacity in the EU is in the UK, yet it produces only 4% of current wind energy. Up to 48,000 jobs could be created across the UK in the wind power industry alone. However, the UK is facing skills shortages in the renewable energy sector as a result of an historic lack of investment in all levels of skills development in engineering and the trades. As a Green MEP for Eastern Region, I will ensure that EU investment is focussed on helping to harness the wholesale benefits of turning the region into a wind-energy producing heartland."

Notes to editors:

Potential for new green jobs in the UK:

The UK's target to produce 15% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020 creates great opportunities for future green jobs. That level of renewable capacity would require 122-133,000 new jobs in manufacturing, construction and operations. Solar energy also has great potential for job creation in the UK. In excess of 100,000 jobs could be created in the installation of solar, to reflect the size of industries already in existence in other countries in the EU.

Jean Lambert MEP will open the Green Party conference in London today, 5th September, where she will launch her new report, Green Work. The publication calls for greater investment in green industries and skills for workers to help transform the UK to a low-carbon economy. The figures here are taken from that report.