WHERE ARE THE NET ZERO JOBS?

The UK has committed to Net Zero targets and begun a transition that will create new jobs across the Liverpool City Region. We ask what Net Zero will mean for the region and predict where these new jobs will be.

New jobs are already being created across the UK due to the commitment the country has made to Net Zero. They are high quality jobs and 250,000 have been created already. However, this is the tip of the iceberg. Further policies from the government will help to manage the risks associated with the transformation and help to increase the potential for jobs too.

So where will these new jobs be?

The most jobs will be created in the sectors that are key to delivering the Net Zero transition. This represents around a fifth of the UK total workforce at present. They are in renewable energy and energy distribution. Think windfarms, solar power, electric vehicles and charging points. Look for jobs in energy companies, electric vehicle manufacturers and the smaller distribution network companies that are emerging to build the electric vehicle charging network.

The other opportunities will be created in building construction, retro fit technologies to buildings and electric battery manufacturing. Net Zero is driving the fitting of heat pumps in preference to gas boilers. When boilers fail retro fitting heat pumps and solar panels is on the cards.  Energy created by solar panels needs to be stored, so battery technology will become a good sector to be in.

There will be opportunities in sectors that will need to change their energy use and need to modify products or services. Industries such a cement and steel production will need to transform from fossil fuel use to low carbon generation.

Current estimates of the numbers of new jobs that will be created across the UK in sectors such as construction, retro-fit technologies, renewable energy generation and electric vehicles is between 135,000 and 725,000. But, there is a call for government support to help make this a reality.

Net Zero is important in the reduction of carbon dioxide, responsible for climate change.

Lord Deben is Chairman of the Climate Change Committee and sees the opportunities that could be created with government backing.

“The UK has committed to Net Zero. The only question is whether the Government intends to get there in a way that benefits workers or leaves them behind. This is a unique moment to tailor our approach to skills and jobs, in the certainty of achieving the legal goal. A Net Zero workforce means secure employment for the future. This is an opportunity for the Government to bring real meaning to ‘levelling up’,” he explains.

The UK needs to make sure the Net Zero opportunities support skills that attract investment to the UK. Manufacturing electric vehicles and batteries will see competition from the United States and European Union. Net Zero can offer employment for economically deprived areas and can be used to attract investment.

Already, Liverpool City Region is ahead of the game in working towards achieving Net Zero targets. It’s time to explore job opportunities in this growing sector with high potential for the future.