The majority of UK workers will not see any benefits from the UK’s transition to net zero, says a new report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
Around 250,000 jobs have already been created in the transition, but the full workforce opportunities will only be realised with stronger policies to harness the potential and manage the risks.
“The UK has committed to net zero,” said chairman of the CCC Lord Deben. “The only question is whether the government intends to get there in a way that benefits workers or leaves them behind.”
Subscribe to Sustainability Beat for free
Sign up here to get the latest sustainability news sent straight to your inbox each morning
Net zero offers the potential for significant net employment creation in the UK, with estimates of between 135,000 and 725,000 net new jobs in low-carbon sectors in sectors such as buildings retrofit, renewable energy generation and electric vehicles.
But growth of jobs is not guaranteed, say the CCC. It will require active reskilling and upskilling of the workforce in key areas, with the need for government support.
Deben said this is a “unique moment” to support new skills and jobs. “This is an opportunity for the government to bring real meaning to ‘levelling up’,” he added.
Suggestions from the CCC include highlighting net zero pathways as career options at school and for universities to “update their strategic plans to address net zero skills and lifelong learning provision.”
