In accordance with the latest UK government guidelines, all RMP colleagues are now working from home until further notice. Despite not being able to meet with you in person, we are very much open for business and you can reach all our teams by phone, email or social media as we continue our mission to deliver the best service possible for you and all of our clients.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we do our bit to help mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 in these extraordinary times.
Take care and stay safe from all at RMP

rmp-logormp-logormp-logormp-logo
  • Why RMP
  • Who we work with
  • Resources
  • Insights
  • People
  • Get in touch
  • RMP Europe
Published by Risk Management Partners on December 3, 2020
Categories
  • 2020
  • Articles
Tags

Can green schemes drive economic recovery for local authorities?

Home > Can green schemes drive economic recovery for local authorities?

As we emerge from a global pandemic and stare down the implications of a changing climate, it would be easy to feel disheartened. However, new solutions to tackle climate change may yet have a transformative effect on the economy that could create thousands of needed jobs.

In November 2020 the UK Government announced a ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution that aims to create 250,000 jobs. The plan focuses on energy generation, improving the energy efficiency of transport and buildings, carbon capture and investment strategies.

We can all applaud an effort to move to a greener environment, but where is the evidence to suggest these schemes help the economy and generate new jobs? And how can local authorities make the most of these investments?

A key strand of the government’s energy plan, and one not without controversy, is to bring more nuclear schemes on stream. Nuclear projects have, however, delivered significant benefits to their surrounding local economies, in the decades they’re been in existence.

A good example is the Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria. As well as employing graduates and apprentices, they’ve invested in multiple education initiatives. In an industry first, they launched The Project Academy for Sellafield in 2016, which provides project management skills for their workforce, supply chain employees and other members of the public. They’re also one of the lead contributors to The National College for Nuclear in West Cumbria and Somerset.

And their work goes beyond just investing in their own industry. They’ve funded a new facility at the Cumbria Academy for Autism, an environmental awareness initiative, even committed 3 years of sponsorship to a healthy eating programme.

Its impact has been widespread and it’s why we’re currently seeing a number of initiatives bringing together public and private investment to follow in Sellafield’s footsteps.

A consortium group led by Rolls Royce plan to build 12 mini-nuclear power plants in the next five years, with the majority of the sites set for the midlands and north of England. They see the sites creating an initial 6,000 regional UK jobs and a further 34,000 jobs over the next 15 years.

A 12-strong partnership, including British Steel, SSE thermal and the University of Sheffield, have just submitted plans to develop a huge carbon capture and hydrogen production scheme in the Humber region. And the numbers are just as encouraging. On top of protecting 55,000 existing jobs, it’s forecast to generate thousands of new jobs and educational opportunities in the surrounding areas.

Earlier in the summer, the Local Government Association (LGA) published a report – Local green jobs: accelerating a sustainable economic recovery – which strongly advocated for investment in low-carbon sector opportunities. By 2030, they estimate 700,000 new jobs could emerge from the industry.

But although encouraged by the projected numbers, the LGA is concerned about bridging the skills gap in time for these regions to take full advantage of the incoming opportunities. They want to see local authorities work with businesses and education institutions to ensure local communities have access to the appropriate training.

Cllr Sir Richard Leese, Chair of the LGA’s City Regions Board had this to say: “Demand for green jobs is due to sky-rocket as we move towards a net zero economy and local government, with its local knowledge and expertise, is best placed to ensure the workforce in every region of the country can successfully surf the new wave of employment opportunities.”

It’s obvious power plants like Sellafield have a profound effect on the communities they serve. From the hundreds of thousands of jobs they create on site and across their supply chain, right down to the social impact initiatives they give a voice to.

More of these projects seem to be waiting in the wings for local authorities to make the most of. Local leaders need to start preparing for what’s to come, otherwise they might well regret it later. Now’s the time to increase knowledge on green investments and put a plan in place to make sure communities are in the best position possible to reap the many benefits green energy can bring.

 

 

Published date: 3rd December 2020


Disclaimer

This article and related document links do not purport to be comprehensive or to give legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Risk Management Partners cannot be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained within the article and related document links.

Readers should not act upon (or refrain from acting upon) information in this article and related document links without first taking further specialist or professional advice.

 


Disclosure

Risk Management Partners Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AW. Registered in England and Wales. Company no. 2989025

 


Source

https://nda.blog.gov.uk/2020/08/13/beyond-sellafield-investing-in-the-next-generation/

https://www.local.gov.uk/lga-over-million-new-green-jobs-could-be-created-2050

https://news.sky.com/story/rolls-royce-to-create-6-000-uk-jobs-to-build-16-mini-nuclear-power-stations-12129634

https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/75m-zero-carbon-humber-scheme-19063787

 

LATEST ARTICLES

  • A school’s best friend: How to safely introduce a dog into the school community
    February 3, 2021 0
    0
  • Managing risk in uncertain times
    January 28, 2021 0
    0
  • Can green schemes drive economic recovery for local authorities?
    December 3, 2020 0
    0
  • Universities – managing student mental health has never been more important in the response to COVID-19
    November 19, 2020 0
    0
  • Working from the discomfort of your own home
    September 23, 2020 0
    0

Related Articles

Duty of Care

Managing wellbeing and mental health is critical for the education system where the provision of support services has often been lacking.

Read more

Making the 2020s about long-term partnerships between insurers and local authorities

The decade about long-term partnerships

Read more

Better collaboration for better infrastructure in the 20’s

The last 25 years have seen the completion of some spectacular infrastructure projects, what does the next decade hold?

Read more

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere: The transformation of working habits

Managing wellbeing and mental health is critical for the education system where the provision of support services has often been lacking.

Read more

Sign up to receive the latest from RMP

Short Form Privacy Notice

Risk Management Partners Limited is the data controller of any personal information you provide to us or personal information that has been provided to us by a third party. We collect and process information about you in order to arrange insurance policies and to process claims. Your information is also used for business purposes such as fraud prevention and detection and financial management. This may involve sharing your information with third parties such as insurers, reinsurers, other brokers, claims handlers, loss adjusters, credit reference agencies, service providers, professional advisors, our regulators, police and government agencies or fraud prevention agencies.

We may record telephone calls to help us monitor and improve the service we provide. For further information on how your information is used and your rights in relation to your information please see our privacy notice at https://rmpartners.co.uk/privacy-policy. If you are providing personal data of another individual to us, you must tell them you are providing their information to us and show them a copy of this notice.

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us

RMP

  • Classes of insurance
  • Resources
  • Why RMP
  • Insights
  • Get in touch

Sectors

  • Local government
  • Police
  • Fire services
  • Education institutions

Legal

  • Complaints
  • UK Privacy Notice
  • EEA Privacy Notice
  • Cookie policy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Lloyd’s Brexit Transfer

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

© Risk Management Partners Ltd All rights reserved. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority number 313119. Registered in England number 2989025. The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8AW