Prospects look good for 'green jobs', says council leader Giles Archibald

Several research institutes have recently estimated between one million and two million potential new green jobs could be created in the UK as we transition away from fossil fuels.

Cumbria has the opportunity to benefit from this potential employment boom.

In an excellent report published last month, Cumbria Action For Sustainability (CAfS) estimated that 9,000 jobs could be created within Cumbria over the next 15 years.

While the majority are on the west coast, South Lakeland could benefit with an additional 1,000 employment opportunities.

These jobs will mainly be in renewable electricity generation, making our buildings more efficient, and greater waste recycling.

But this report is not just about jobs.

WRITER: Column by Cllr Giles Archibald

In Cumbria, we have achieved a 42 per cent reduction in emissions since 2000.

The report reminds us that, if we are to hit our goal of net zero carbon production by 2037, we have to pick up the pace by reducing emissions by 18 per cent per annum.

The report provides a useful roadmap to get to net zero.

Buildings, transport and industrial processes seem to be what should be focused on.

Getting to net zero will not be easy.

The report suggests an investment of £8.88 billion would help the county to reduce carbon emissions by more than a half.

While this would create jobs, be likely to have a health impact and repay the investment over a 10 to 12-year period, it is a measure of the extent of the challenge that an investment of this size would only get us part-way to our goal.

CAfS has produced a fantastic report that I will be discussing with colleagues across the Bay and in Cumbria.

Let’s hope we can attract the investment and implement its recommendations.

If you get a chance to read it, let me know what you think.