Nearly 700,000 direct jobs could be created in England’s low-carbon and renewable energy economy by 2030, rising to over 1 million by 2050, according to a report published by the Local Government Association (LGA).
‘Local green jobs – accelerating a sustainable economic recovery’ forecasts more 1.18 million direct jobs could be created by 2050, rising by nearly 500,000 from 2030.
The LGA said it is “urging the UK government to work with councils to develop post Covid-19 economic recovery options”.
These include proposals for a “jobs guarantee programme” to provide new opportunities, including within the low-carbon sector.
The association has also called for national skills and employment schemes and funding to be devolved to councils and combined authorities.
The LGA’s study shows that demand for green jobs will “rapidly increase” as the nation transitions to a net zero economy and will help to counter the “unprecedented job losses” due to coronavirus, which is likely to increase further when furlough ends from October.
The report predicts that nearly half (46%) of an estimated 693,628 total low-carbon jobs by 2030 will be in clean electricity generation and providing low-carbon heat for homes and businesses, such as manufacturing wind turbines, installing solar panels and installing heat pumps.
Around a fifth (21%) of jobs by 2030 will be involved in installing energy efficiency products, while a further 19% will be based on providing low-carbon services and producing alternative fuels, such as bioenergy and hydrogen.
A further 14% of jobs will be directly involved in manufacturing low-emission vehicles and the associated infrastructure, the study found.
The LGA said the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis are likely to be felt in communities for “some time to come”.
Councils have long warned that centrally driven employment and skills support is often failing to meet, and respond to, local need.
The LGA stated: “It is therefore vital that councils have the tools they need to ensure that all our diverse communities have the best possible chance of contributing to and benefiting from economic recovery.
“This includes local control over skills and employment support and increased national investment to create jobs and help young people and adults secure them.”
The LGA says councils have been trusted to deliver and this local approach should be extended to skills training to help project where and when these jobs will be created and build the skills of local workforces.
“Soaring” demand for green jobs will require a diverse range of skills and expertise to roll-out clean technologies.
Councillor Sir Richard Leese, chair of the LGA’s City Regions Board, said: “Councils are driving the climate change agenda at a local level, through ambitious projects and targets, which is beginning to influence local economic growth plans and skills programmes.
“Demand for green jobs is due to sky-rocket as we move towards a net zero economy and local government, with its local knowledge and expertise, is best placed to ensure the workforce in every region of the country can successfully surf the new wave of employment opportunities.
“Localising and devolving skills investment, back to work support and any job guarantee will be critical to ensuring everyone benefits from new local jobs, including these one million new low-carbon jobs.
“To help meet national climate change targets and capitalise on the green jobs revolution, councils need to be given long-term funding, devolved powers and easier access to complex government funding pots to help realise the Government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050.”