The number of jobs being created in the renewable energy industry is growing four times faster than the overall UK employment market, it has emerged.
Data shows that 2.2% of all new UK jobs have been classified as “green”, although concerns are rising over London’s dominance in the sector.
The number of green jobs advertised has almost trebled in the last year, equating to 336,000 roles, according to the second edition of consultancy PwC’s annual green jobs barometer.
However, more than one-third of these roles are based in London and the south-east, particularly in professional and scientific roles.
Scotland, which dominates the UK’s onshore and offshore wind market, has the highest proportion of green jobs, at 3.3%, up from 1.7% last year.
In England, where a moratorium on new onshore wind projects in England is nearing an end, London recorded the second strongest increase in green jobs as a proportion of its job market. PwC said that, by volume of jobs, London and the south-east were “pulling away from the rest of the country”.
In Wales, where progress is being made in developing solar and tidal power, there was a 150% increase in the number of green jobs advertised, with strong demand for green roles in manufacturing, construction and professional services.
Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as Northern Ireland, slipped down the rankings with each having a green jobs proportion of 1.9% – though both have improved from 1.2% last year.
In every region of the UK, green jobs accounted for a greater share of the job market than in previous years, and the number of green jobs more than doubled in the year to June 2022.
Carl Sizer, PwC UK’s head of regions, said: “While Wales and Scotland are among the top performers, it’s striking that one in five new green roles are based in the capital.
“If growth continues on this trajectory, the compounding effect means the green economy will increase London’s dominance over other cities and regions. If we want to meet our net zero ambitions while driving growth, then the green economy needs to be nationwide.”
Industry executives have expressed concerns that, although the case for renewables has been underlined by high prices and energy security worries since the invasion of Ukraine, developers face significant hurdles in getting projects off the ground.
The government has faced criticism for not moving quickly enough on green energy and helping to create jobs in the sector. Labour has vowed to create thousands of jobs in renewable energy and launch a publicly owned energy company.
In May, the government said its newly formed Green Jobs Delivery Group would aim to support the delivery of “up to 480,000 skilled green jobs” by 2030. By that point ministers hope 95% of electricity will be low carbon and £100bn of private investment can be unlocked.
Graham Stuart, the energy and climate minister, said: “Today’s report shows how public and private investment in new renewables and tackling climate change is creating growth and job opportunities across the country.
“These new green jobs are part of a growing industry which will be crucial for the future net zero economy, but we need to make sure all parts of the country benefit, as we continue to level up opportunities.”
Ed Miliband, the shadow climate change secretary, said: “This report is further proof that Britain’s best days can lie ahead of us, if only we grasp the enormous opportunities for jobs and wealth that the green transition can bring.
“But in the way that green jobs are being created, it is also a warning that the government is not taking the action to ensure that all regions benefit.
“The truth is that we have a government that isn’t stepping up to shape and accelerate the green transition so we create good jobs in every corner of Britain.”
