Select Committee: “Green investment should play a key role in the UK’s economic recovery”
Renewable energy has central role to play in ‘A Green Economy'
The Environmental Audit Committee’s report ‘A Green Economy’ reinforces the REA’s call for the Government to put renewable energy at the heart of its economic recovery and employment strategy.
The REA/Innovas report ‘Renewable Energy: Made in Britain’ showed the UK sector employed over 100,000 people and turned over £12.5 billion in 2010/11. However, the UK is in danger of failing to fulfil its potential. Around 400,000 people are needed in the sector by 2020 to meet binding EU targets, but the industry faces serious skills shortages and uncertainties in the policy framework.
Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA, comments:
“The Government needs to enrich its understanding of the benefits of renewable energy investment. Currently this debate is being pushed forward on an ad hoc basis by various timely reports and well-informed politicians from all parties. There is frustration that Government leadership is missing in practice, despite notable speeches, for example by Nick Clegg, on the importance of prioritising investment in energy infrastructure.
“Several countries, from America to Japan to Germany, have realised that taking the long-term view and investing in renewables is a significant step on the route out of economic malaise. The UK renewables industry wants to work with the Coalition Government to realise the huge contribution our sector can make to jobs, growth and prosperity.”
