A new effort to help the UK achieve its climate change targets will create more than 60,000 jobs, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has announced.
This is part of a government investment of £166.5 million into green technology, such as carbon capture and greenhouse gas removal, based on the ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution outlined late last year.
The project aims to support the creation of up to 250,000 environmentally responsible jobs as well as make the UK a global leader in sustainable technologies.
The investment announced today aims to support the UK in meeting its ambitious climate commitments, which include achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and reducing the country’s emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels – the world’s most ambitious climate target. The government also announced that around 8,000 out of the 60,000 jobs will be centred around driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen, which is beneficial due to its limited impact on the environment but is costly to produce.
One organisation that will benefit from the cash boost is the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, which is to receive almost £4.5 million to manage and restore Welsh peatlands. According to the National Trust, peat plays a key role in water management and is naturally capable of storing more carbon than the combined forests of Britain, France and Germany.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Energy minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said that the government is “determined to tackle climate change and make it win-win for both our planet and our economy”.
“Today’s major cash boost – targeted at our most polluting industries - will encourage the rapid development of the technologies we need to reign in our emissions and transition to a green economy, one that reduces costs for business, boosts investment, and creates jobs.
"Just six months ago, the prime minister set out a clear 10 Point Plan for creating and supporting up to 250,000 British jobs as we level up and build back greener from the pandemic. Today we’re boosting our armoury for the fight against climate change and backing innovators and businesses to create green jobs right across the United Kingdom,” she added.
