This report by the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action, Queens University Belfast and the Place-Based Climate Action Network for UK100 presents a synthesis of existing work relating to the economic benefits of local climate action.
It offers cross-sector insight into how investment in local climate action can lead to tangible emission reduction, but can also create good quality green jobs, economic opportunities, important social co-benefits and level up areas across the UK as we seek to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It presents a clear evidence base that highlights not only is Net Zero transformation possible, but also that the costs of inaction are immense.
Key insights
Investment in climate action at the local level would see over 800,000 green jobs across the UK by 2030, rising to 1.38 million total jobs by 2050
For every £1 invested in climate mitigation and protecting communities from the impacts of extreme weather events a further £9 is saved
If UK businesses reduce carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2030 instead of 2050, then society (including the private sector) would escape costs equivalent to £1.1 trillion
One in five workers, and 6.3 million jobs in total, will be affected by the transition to a Net Zero carbon economy across the UK, with around three million workers requiring upskilling and around three million in high demand.
