Green Jobs

Environmental Audit Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 17 Nov 2020 Closed: 27 Jul 2022 Parliament page
The Environmental Audit Committee is launching an inquiry into Green Jobs. The inquiry will look at how green jobs can help tackle the expected rise in unemployment due to COVID-19 in a sustainable way. It will also look at the jobs, skills and training needed to achieve the UK’s longer-term … Read more
16 Recommendations
22 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
4 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
23 Feb
2022
Correspondence
20 Jan
2022
Report published
20 Jan
2022
Correspondence
25 Oct
2021
Report published
9 Sep
2021
Correspondence
9 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
9 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
12 May
2021
Oral evidence
12 May
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
3 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
3 Mar
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
3 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
9 Jun 2021
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Panel 1
Amy Jenkins · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Gillian Keegan MP · Department for Education Jessica Hodgson · Department for Work and Pensions Jon Boswell · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mims Davies MP · Department for Work and Pensions Rebecca Pow MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP · Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Sinead O’Sullivan · Department for Education
12 May 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Andrew Mennear · BP Dr Adam Read · SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd Jane Cooper · Orsted Peter Walters · Chemical Industries Association Venetia Knight · Groundwork
3 Mar 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Graham Petersen · Greener Jobs Alliance Kevin Bentley · Local Government Association’s People & Places Board Lee Jowett · National Association for Environmental Education Meg Baker · Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK) Mr Iain Patton · EAUC - The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education Ms Charlotte Bonner · Education and Training Foundation (ETF) Richard Kendall · Humber Local Enterprise Partnership Samantha Smith · Just Transition Centre
3 Feb 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Josie Fraser · Open University Libby Peake · Green Alliance Luke Murphy · Institute for Public Policy Research Mike Hemsley · Climate Change Committee Mr Martin Baxter · Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment Sue Ferns · Prospect Trade Union
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Green Jobs HC 75 25 Oct 2021 38 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
38 results
1 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
There is no single definition, nor single way to measure green jobs.
There is no single definition, nor single way to measure green jobs. The Government’s ambitions for accelerating the number of green jobs over the 2020s are welcome, but without a clear definition and metric, the Government will be unable to … Read more
Government Response
Government’s response As reflected by the Green Jobs Taskforce, the delivery of the government’s green jobs and skills policies is a highly cross-cutting agenda, spanning action across several Government departments. … Read more
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2 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that, by the end of 2021, the Government set out how it will...
We recommend that, by the end of 2021, the Government set out how it will measure progress towards its green jobs targets; this should include its definition of ‘green jobs’, and how it will measure the number, type and location … Read more
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3 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
‘Green jobs’ is a cross-cutting issue, requiring action across Government alongside co-ordination with local authorities...
‘Green jobs’ is a cross-cutting issue, requiring action across Government alongside co-ordination with local authorities and the devolved administrations to deliver the Government’s ambitions. Clear lines of responsibility and a mechanism for co- ordination are needed, otherwise green jobs risks … Read more
Government Response
2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-in-the-north-east-of-england-regional-transition- impacts Government’s response As we transition to net zero, it is important to ensure that the UK’s ambitious climate policy interventions do not lead to carbon leakage. The … Read more
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4 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that the Government, in its response to this report, set out its arrangements...
We recommend that the Government, in its response to this report, set out its arrangements for cross-departmental delivery of green jobs and skills ambitions, identifying: a) each department’s responsibilities; b) how it will monitor and co-ordinate delivery across departments; and … Read more
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5 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Departments need to understand the delivery costs for their green jobs responsibilities to ensure their...
Departments need to understand the delivery costs for their green jobs responsibilities to ensure their spending plans include sufficient allocation for this. Any analysis of environmental skills needs in local government needs to be accompanied by an assessment of the … Read more
Government Response
Government’s response Skills for Jobs white paper, which was published in January 2021. The white paper offers us an opportunity to create an enhanced careers programme, which we expect to … Read more
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6 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that by the end of 2021 the department or body with overall responsibility...
We recommend that by the end of 2021 the department or body with overall responsibility for delivery of the Government’s green jobs policies should, in collaboration with the different departments engaged in green jobs policy, assign indicative costings to each … Read more
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7 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Just 1 per cent of Kickstart scheme jobs were in green sectors.
Just 1 per cent of Kickstart scheme jobs were in green sectors. While we understand the need to support current industries, we consider that an opportunity has been missed for a greener employment recovery scheme, to contribute towards the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
In the ten months after the launch of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, 56,000 jobs were protected and created, with some already online and others set to come online … Read more
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8 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that the Government’s net zero and environmental goals are considered at the design...
We recommend that the Government’s net zero and environmental goals are considered at the design stage of future labour market interventions, to ensure that such interventions are fully aligned with the green recovery.
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9 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
We first recommended that the Government pilot a National Nature Service in our report ‘Growing...
We first recommended that the Government pilot a National Nature Service in our report ‘Growing back better: putting nature and net zero at the heart of the economic recovery’. The Government’s response did not engage directly with this proposal. A … Read more
Government Response
As set out in the Skills for Jobs white paper, Government is taking forward reforms to put employers at the heart of the skills system to ensure it is responsive … Read more
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10 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We reiterate the recommendation from our earlier report that the Government should work with conservation...
We reiterate the recommendation from our earlier report that the Government should work with conservation organisations to pilot a National Nature Service during 2022.
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11 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
The voucher element of the Green Homes Grant scheme, the Government’s recent flagship scheme to...
The voucher element of the Green Homes Grant scheme, the Government’s recent flagship scheme to address covid-19 impact while stimulating jobs in the green sector of home retrofit for energy efficiency, was not a success, and may even have put … Read more
Government Response
Ipsos MORI is undertaking an independent evaluation of the Green Homes Grant Voucher scheme. The first interim report, which evaluates the scheme’s processes and delivery, will be published in early … Read more
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12 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that the Government’s own analysis into the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme be...
We recommend that the Government’s own analysis into the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme be completed during 2021 to ensure lessons learned inform future schemes’ designs, and include a plan for industry engagement, to rebuild trust.
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13 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
The scale of the challenge to retrofit homes is significant, as recognised by the Government...
The scale of the challenge to retrofit homes is significant, as recognised by the Government when launching the Green Homes Grant scheme, claiming it would create 100,000 green jobs. With millions of homes requiring retrofitting to achieve decarbonisation through improved … Read more
Government Response
As set out in our recently published Heat and Buildings Strategy, it is vital that we address the energy efficiency of our buildings as well as the energy source they … Read more
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14 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
In line with our recommendation for a national retrofit strategy in our Energy Efficiency in...
In line with our recommendation for a national retrofit strategy in our Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes report, by the end of 2021 the Government needs to set out a programme to encourage the development of relevant skills across the … Read more
Government Response
As set out in our recently published Heat and Buildings Strategy, it is vital that we address the energy efficiency of our buildings as well as the energy source they … Read more
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15 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
We have heard concerns that skills shortages will affect delivery of the Government’s long-term environmental...
We have heard concerns that skills shortages will affect delivery of the Government’s long-term environmental goals, as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. It is welcome that Defra are currently working on a Skills Gap Plan to identify … Read more
Government Response
The Government is taking a strategic and comprehensive approach to understanding the skills needed to deliver the 25 Year Environment Plan as we conduct our first statutory review of the … Read more
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16 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that Defra’s Skills Gap Plan cover all areas of the 25 Year Environment...
We recommend that Defra’s Skills Gap Plan cover all areas of the 25 Year Environment Plan and be accompanied by an Action Plan to address skills shortages, developed in co-ordination with the Department for Education and stakeholders. The Skills Gap … Read more
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17 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring regions are not left behind in the transition.
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring regions are not left behind in the transition. To ensure this is delivered, it is vital that the Government carry out some planning for a just transition and how the Government intends to … Read more
Government Response
Our Net Zero Strategy, published in October 2021, outlines measures across the economy which will support industries, communities and workers with the transition to a net zero economy. To help … Read more
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18 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
As action to deliver a just transition will require collaboration across Government and co-ordination with...
As action to deliver a just transition will require collaboration across Government and co-ordination with local government and the devolved administrations, the plan also needs to set out departmental responsibilities, and monitoring and co- ordinating arrangements. This plan might be … Read more
Government Response
Our Net Zero Strategy, published in October 2021, outlines measures across the economy which will support industries, communities and workers with the transition to a net zero economy. To help … Read more
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19 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Some regions will be particularly affected by the transition.
Some regions will be particularly affected by the transition. While the Government cannot actively manage the whole transition, it is important to assess where impacts will fall to ensure there are policies for support and replacement green jobs in place, … Read more
Government Response
Our Net Zero Strategy, published in October 2021, outlines measures across the economy which will support industries, communities and workers with the transition to a net zero economy. To help … Read more
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20 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that a just transition plan: a) be published by the end of 2021;...
We recommend that a just transition plan: a) be published by the end of 2021; b) assess regional as well as sectoral impact, to ensure regional skills transitioning plus employment and pensions support is in place; and c) include a … Read more
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21 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
There is a risk that the net zero transition could lead to UK job and...
There is a risk that the net zero transition could lead to UK job and skills losses if carbon-emitting industries simply move overseas. A carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), recommended in our report ‘Growing back better: putting nature and net … Read more
Government Response
As we transition to net zero, it is important to ensure that the UK’s ambitious climate policy interventions do not lead to carbon leakage. The UK’s current approach to mitigating … Read more
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22 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
The Government needs to set out in its just transition plan how it will address...
The Government needs to set out in its just transition plan how it will address this risk. During 2021, the Government should conduct analysis into how a UK CBAM could comply with international trade obligations. (Paragraph 91) Education and skills … Read more
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23 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
In school, education on climate change and environmental sustainability is limited to a few subjects.
In school, education on climate change and environmental sustainability is limited to a few subjects. It is important that it is included across all courses to give all students a basic grounding in environmental issues and to show how their … Read more
Government Response
Topics related to climate change and the environment are already included within the citizenship, science and geography National Curricula. This provides key learning to all students, but the curriculum also … Read more
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24 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that environmental sustainability be included across all primary and secondary courses delivered through...
We recommend that environmental sustainability be included across all primary and secondary courses delivered through the National Curriculum and across A Level courses. Teachers should be supported to deliver this, with teacher training and continuous professional development. We recommend that … Read more
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25 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Our previous report on biodiversity in the UK identified that education could provide a crucial...
Our previous report on biodiversity in the UK identified that education could provide a crucial lever to address inequalities in access to nature. The Government’s Children and Nature Programme went some way in increasing access opportunities for schoolchildren, however the … Read more
Government Response
Encouraging children to be close to nature, in and out of school, is a key 25 Year Environment Plan commitment. We will continue to deliver against this objective once the … Read more
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26 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
By the end of January 2022, the Government should engage with delivery partners and schools...
By the end of January 2022, the Government should engage with delivery partners and schools in order to extend the Children and Nature programme beyond March 2022 and expand the number of delivery projects within the programme, using the evaluation … Read more
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27 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Apprenticeships are a fast way to bring new skills into a workplace, but climate and...
Apprenticeships are a fast way to bring new skills into a workplace, but climate and environmental sustainability issues are not embedded across them. If they were, this would allow apprentices to apply this knowledge directly to their jobs, addressing employer … Read more
Government Response
Apprenticeships and T-Levels are based on occupational standards, which describe the specific knowledge, skills and behaviour required to be competent in the occupation and support entry into skilled employment. Therefore, … Read more
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28 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that a module on environmental sustainability be included in every apprenticeship and T...
We recommend that a module on environmental sustainability be included in every apprenticeship and T Level course. The Government should consult with stakeholders during the 2021/22 academic year on how to implement this.
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29 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Extending the equivalent or lower funding rule exemption to full-time science, technology, engineering and mathematics...
Extending the equivalent or lower funding rule exemption to full-time science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and geographical and environmental courses would allow quicker retraining in higher level skills needed in the future green economy. Read more
Government Response
The exemption to Equivalent or Lower-Level Qualification (ELQ) rules for students studying part-time second degrees in any STEM subject was introduced following a decline in the number of part-time students. … Read more
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30 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that the Government extend the equivalent or lower funding rule exemption to full-time...
We recommend that the Government extend the equivalent or lower funding rule exemption to full-time STEM and geographical and environmental courses from 2022/23.
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31 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Without closely monitoring current and future skills needs and shortages across the net zero transition,...
Without closely monitoring current and future skills needs and shortages across the net zero transition, there is a risk that today’s courses and training are not addressing the demands of the future. This monitoring needs to be ongoing, to respond … Read more
Government Response
The role of the Skills and Productivity Board is to provide independent, actionable insights to help shape skills policy, focusing particularly on longer-term strategic issues and how they will affect … Read more
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32 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
We recommend that by the end of 2021, the Skills and Productivity Board, or similar...
We recommend that by the end of 2021, the Skills and Productivity Board, or similar body, is tasked with ongoing monitoring of skills needs, with regular periodic reviews, to ensure forward-looking and responsive skills planning which encompasses the needs of … Read more
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33 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
To be able to monitor whether its ambitions to increase diversity and inclusion in the...
To be able to monitor whether its ambitions to increase diversity and inclusion in the green workforce are being achieved, the Government needs to articulate these ambitions in a measurable way and have a metric for measuring diversity and inclusion … Read more
Government Response
As set out within the ‘Green Jobs, Skills, and Industries’ chapter of our Net Zero Strategy, we will continue to engage with and encourage industry to ensure there is equal … Read more
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34 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
By the end of 2021, the Government should set out its ambitions for improving diversity...
By the end of 2021, the Government should set out its ambitions for improving diversity and inclusion in the green workforce and set out how it will measure diversity and inclusion in green jobs, for the purpose of monitoring and … Read more
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35 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Something that has not been considered in the Green Jobs Taskforce report recommendations is the...
Something that has not been considered in the Green Jobs Taskforce report recommendations is the wider enabling infrastructure which allows people to physically access green job opportunities, such as public transport, care and rural broadband connectivity. This will involve co-ordination … Read more
Government Response
Work is underway across government to identify and address barriers to recruitment, retention and progression in the labour market. We are working with employers and sector bodies to provide support … Read more
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36 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
The Government’s green jobs and just transition delivery plans should include analysis of the enabling...
The Government’s green jobs and just transition delivery plans should include analysis of the enabling infrastructure needed for people to access new green jobs, and allocate actions to the departments with responsibilities over this infrastructure.
Government Response
Work is underway across government to identify and address barriers to recruitment, retention and progression in the labour market. We are working with employers and sector bodies to provide support … Read more
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37 Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
There is a gap in the public’s awareness of green job opportunities and how to...
There is a gap in the public’s awareness of green job opportunities and how to access them. It is welcome that the Government acknowledges the importance of green careers advice, however the Government’s latest Careers Strategy (2017) pre-dates both its … Read more
Government Response
We currently do not plan to update the careers strategy as it has been superseded by our Skills for Jobs white paper, which was published in January 2021. The white … Read more
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38 Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
By the end of 2021, the Government should set out how it will adapt its...
By the end of 2021, the Government should set out how it will adapt its Careers Strategy to align with its net zero and environmental goals, including how it will reach different groups of the population to increase awareness of … Read more
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Correspondence 4 letters
23 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change (BEIS) to the Chair, responding to the Committee’s 19 January 2022 letter on Green Jobs, dated 7 February 2022
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20 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, concerning the Government's response to the Committee’s report on Green Jobs, dated 19 January 2022
Parliament page
9 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, relating to the publication of the Green Jobs Taskforce’s Report, dated 14 July 2021
Parliament page
26 Nov 2020 Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy relating to the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, 19.11.2020
Parliament page