Green Jobs Barometer
Our Green Jobs Barometer measures the relative performance of UK regions and industry sectors on their progress developing green jobs* over time. Now in its second year, the Barometer aims to support a fair transition to net zero emissions by building an evidence base of the impact on jobs and communities across the country.
The data is based upon five key pillars which can be explored below by sector and region.
“The huge growth in green jobs over the last year illustrates how a Green Britain is being created. PwC’s Green Jobs Barometer shines a light on the regions and sectors where these roles are being created.”
The regional picture: early signs of a North-South split
Although every region of the UK is experiencing significant green job creation, the rapid increase is disproportionately concentrated in London and the South East. These regions collectively represent nearly one-third (32.7%) of all new green jobs.
It is clear that regional disparities are becoming more pronounced within the green jobs market. For example, the South East has climbed four places in the regional rankings, with the North East falling seven places.
If this trajectory continues, the economic benefits of net zero transition may not be fairly spread. The need to secure a transition which is fair and equitable, is greater than ever.
“Our economy, and our ambitions for net zero, rely on a greener workforce that can adapt to the changing demands of a changing planet – from the transition away from fossil fuels to the technology that will accelerate the pace at which we move towards net zero.”
LinkedIn Audio
How prepared is the UK for a just 'green' transition?
Our Head of Regions, Carl Sizer, was joined by our Head of Sustainability Lynne Baber, and guests from Scottish Power, The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and Cardiff Capital Region in a live broadcast as they discuss the opportunities and challenges we face in the transition to a Net Zero economy.
30:37
LinkedIn Audio: How prepared is the UK for a just 'green'
Our Head of Regions, Carl Sizer, was joined by our Head of Sustainability Lynne Baber, and guests from Scottish Power, The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and Cardiff Capital Region in a live broadcast as they discuss the opportunities and challenges we face in the transition to a Net Zero economy.
Feature insights - 3 items
Rationale: what does the pillar capture?
This pillar captures performance on creating new green jobs. We focus on green job creation as this is where we expect to first see changes in the labour market (as opposed to the stock of green jobs).
How is performance estimated?
It’s the number of green job advertisements, expressed as a proportion of total job advertisements. This captures the relative density across sectors and regions to enable comparisons.
How can this indicator change over time?
We expect the number to increase over time as the transition to a sustainable economy gathers pace. However, there will be waves of different green job creation across sectors (and regions) over time.
Rationale: what does the pillar capture?
It seeks to identify where direct green jobs are creating additional employment, helping to show the full benefits of green jobs. It means policy decisions can be based upon wider economic impacts rather than narrow green employment decisions.
How is performance estimated?
It’s based on employment multipliers. This measures how many additional jobs in the UK economy as a whole are created from one green job in a certain sector or region.
How can this indicator change over time?
Multipliers are typically higher in well-paid jobs with extensive local supply chains (typically in highly technical roles). As green activities move from highly technical and design roles into broader roles, multipliers might decrease, but this impact is likely to be minimal over the short term.
Rationale: what does the pillar capture?
It provides insight on job destruction. This is vital for designing the right set of active labour market policies - including reskilling and upskilling, and focus on social mobility - in order to ensure a green transition is also a just transition.
How is performance estimated?
By looking at the distribution of defining “sunset jobs” - ie. those jobs that will become redundant following the transition to a green economy. It doesn’t capture job reallocation where, with the right training, people may find employment in growing areas of the same sector.
How can this indicator change over time?
As these career pathways are realised, we expect the number of sunset jobs to decrease over time.
Rationale: what does the pillar capture?
It compares CO2 emissions in different UK regions and sectors to employment in the same UK regions and sectors.
How is performance estimated?
Performance is estimated using CO2 emissions per employee. This gives us an indication of how environmentally-friendly jobs are, as well as an indirect indication of jobs that could lose out as the green transition accelerates.
How can this indicator change over time?
We expect there will be accelerated change in carbon-intensive sectors, with diminishing returns for low-carbon sectors and regions.
Rationale: what does the pillar capture?
It tells us more about how existing jobs are changing - gathering employee sentiment to give an extra layer of insight.
How is performance estimated?
It measures how environmentally friendly employees perceive the activities conducted as part of their job to be currently, and over the next 1-2 years. It spans 8 environmental outcomes - reducing waste, reducing carbon, reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, improving resource efficiency, reducing water use, increasing reuse and recycling, and reducing energy consumption.
How can this indicator change over time?
We expect the environmentally friendliness of jobs to increase over time.
*What do we mean by a green job?
We define green jobs as roles that seek to either produce or provide environmentally friendly products and services, or adapt work processes to become more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources. This definition acknowledges roles that support the green economy indirectly, such as environmental advisers or experts in environmental education.
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