Hilary Benn: Low-carbon industry provides nearly 900,000 jobs
The low-carbon industry is vital to the UK's economy and provides many green collar jobs, the environment secretary has said.
In a speech at the launch of the Aldersgate Group's Beyond Carbon report, Hilary Benn noted that the environmental goods and technologies market is worth nearly £110 billion to country.
It is responsible for almost 900,000 jobs in Britain, the politician pointed out.
Mr Benn was seeking to encourage businesses to tap into the potential of the green economy.
They should recognise the benefits of incorporating resource efficiency and sustainability into their planning and risk assessment, he claimed.
A high-level coalition of companies, environmental groups and individuals, the Aldersgate Group promotes the case that there is no contradiction between regulating for high environmental standards and maintaining growth and wealth creation.
It engages with the government and other decision makers in a bid to help shape the development of economic and eco policies.
Posted by Richard Walsh
2 Feb 2010 11:23am