More than 25,000 jobs in Cumbria would be created or become in higher demand in a shift to a green economy, new analysis suggests.

But tens of thousands of other roles would be at risk, with workers needing new skills and training.

The study – published by council leaders’ group UK100 – is calling for a “Green New Deal” to drive the recovery from the Covid-19 crisis while creating a zero-carbon society by 2050. An estimated 27,641 jobs would be generated or would be readily adaptable to more sustainable industries in Cumbria, according to the analysis.

The findings – based on figures compiled by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment – also suggest how people in various sectors might have to retrain.

This could include a car mechanic learning to repair electric vehicles, roofers becoming solar panel installers, or oil and gas technicians transferring to offshore wind farms. In Cumbria, 24,625 such roles would be affected– fewer than the number that would be created or would see a boost, meaning the area would see a positive impact overall.

Across Great Britain, around 3.1 million jobs will require retraining, while nearly the same number could be created or would become desirable to employers based on existing skills.

Polly Billington, director of UK100, said: “There is a huge opportunity here to skill up our workforce and invest in the jobs we need right now."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently set out plans to fuel the economic recovery as the country begins to emerge from the pandemic, including a promise to “build back greener”.

But UK100 said the Government had committed five times as much public money for roadbuilding over the next five years than for buses, cycling and walking – £27 billion compared to just £5 billon.

A Treasury spokesman said: “Throughout this crisis, we’ve continued to take our environmental responsibilities seriously and remain committed to meeting our climate change and wider environmental targets, including our commitment to net zero by 2050. As we take action to rebuild our economy we will aim to drive clean, sustainable and inclusive growth."