Archived press release

Action on climate change could create 226,000 new jobs

30 September 1997

Cutting carbon dioxide pollution - the main cause of dangerous climate change - could create almost a quarter of a million jobs for the UK economy according to new Friends of the Earth research released today (30/9/97) [1]. The research shows that meeting the Government's target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by twenty per cent by 2010 will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs through the expansion of public transport, rapid development of renewable energy sources and big increases in energy efficiency [2].

The research is published shortly before the Prime Minister addresses his party's annual conference with a call for a national debate on climate change. So far, the Government's target has been resisted by oil and car companies such as Shell, Ford and Esso and undermined by some Government departments who say that it is unrealistic and would cost jobs.

The research forsees a range of policy measures including a $1 per barrel of oil equivalent carbon tax rising by $1 per year and a reduction of VAT on energy efficiency materials to 5 per cent. Industries that spend a certain percentage of total overheads on energy would be legally required to employ a professional energy manager.

Tony Juniper, Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:

“The bottom line for credible action on climate change is cutting oil, gas, coal and petrol use. If the Government isn't doing that then it is not serious about the issue. That objective has so far been seen as too radical but it can be made popular and economically viable by promoting alternatives that not only protect the environment but create jobs too.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] FOE Special Briefing Sheet: “CO2 CUTS = 226,000 NEW JOBS” based on modelling work by the independent consultancy Energy for Sustainable Development employing the SAFIRE model, previously used in work for the European Commission.

[2] The research demonstrates that the net jobs created will be:
84,000 in renewable energies
34,000 in cogeneration
21,000 in energy efficiency
87,000 in the transport sector

Total net jobs = 226,000

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust