Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch will call investment in clean energy “the future-proofing force that will help us create a better tomorrow” at a landmark trade event in the North East of England.
Speaking at the Green Trade and Investment Expo in Gateshead, she will set out a three-pronged approach to using trade to ensure the UK is ready to tackle crucial global challenges ahead.
Growing and innovating industries to combat climate change, protect the UK’s energy security and create high-paying jobs in industries of the future will form the core of UK’s green trade approach, backed by significant international investment.
Among the expected announcements is that Flogas will confirm a £50m investment to upgrade Avonmouth terminal to store liquid petroleum gas and future-proof the site to handle renewable biogas and hydrogen, opening up a potential global supply of renewable fuels to the UK.
Ahead of the speech, Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “We know trade and investment grows our economy, creates jobs, and puts money in people’s pockets – but it also has the power to tackle the challenges we see around the world.
“Now is the time to future-proof our economy by investing in cutting-edge green technology, protecting our long-term energy security and creating thousands of jobs in industries of the future.
“In just two years we’ve helped to secure £20 billion in green investment from everywhere from Spain to South Korea, creating over 11,000 jobs. I am committed to continuing to bang the trading drum for Britain to boost economic growth and level up the UK for generations to come.”