34,120

29 Apr 2010, 09:49 Add Comment

What's that then? The number of people employed in 'low carbon' industries in Greater Manchester. The jobs are spread over 1,893 companies according to a report by Innovas Solutions commissioned by Manchester's Commission for the New Economy.

Why does it matter? Despite difficult economic conditions in the UK the low carbon and renewable energy sectors are growing well: a 4% increase was noted between 2007/8 and 2008/9.

What do you want us to do? Local businesses can take advantage of this growth area by looking at which sub-sectors are most likely to generate new jobs for the region. We have the potential to be a world leader in low carbon technologies, whether it's exploiting new energy sources such as biofuels or pioneering new approaches to retrofitting existing buildings. We're also strong across a range of alternative fuels and environmental consultancy, and we're above average in wind energy, low carbon building technologies and energy management.

What if nothing is done? Additional jobs will not be generated and revenue from one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK will go elsewhere. Bad idea.

Who is leading the way? Greater Manchester became the UK's first Low Carbon Economic Area for the Built Environment in December 2009. In the next five years this programme aims to deliver an additional £650m to the economy, support those 34,000 jobs and save six million tonnes of carbon. Steve Turner, head of carbon economy for Manchester's Commission for the New Economy

Further reading: To read the Innovas Solutions report visit

• http://neweconomymanchester.com/stories/837-low_carbon_economy

  To find out more on business support

• http://www.nwda.co.uk/areas-of-work/sustainable-development/energy.aspx

Your Comments

0 Comments Add Comment

Close this window

Add your comment

>

Your Name

Your Comments

Enter verification code