'Green new deal' to create jobs

Thousands of new jobs could be created through investment in the low-carbon economy, according to a new report by  the LGA.

The LGA unveiled plans for a ‘green new deal’ at a climate change conference in Manchester, which would help generate up to 150,000 new jobs, save carbon, cut fuel poverty and increase the country’s energy security.

The report, ‘Creating green jobs: developing local low-carbon economies’, calls on the government to give town halls powers to unlock the job-creating potential in tackling climate change.

Councils are already doing a great deal to promote ‘green growth’ through the creative use of planning, purchasing decisions, partnerships with energy suppliers and public sector apprenticeships.

But delegates at the LGA conference argued that more needs to be done, particularly in tough economic times and in those areas at greatest risk from recession, where unemployment is already at high levels.

The LGA is lobbying for various moves towards a low-carbon economy under its ‘Small change, big difference’ campaign, including a council-led national home insulation programme to make properties more energy efficient and boost semi-skilled employment; a national loans fund to allow residents to invest in solid wall insulation or renewable forms of energy; investment in managing the risks associated with climate change such as flood defences to protect people and create new jobs; and the devolvement of employment and skills budgets to councils to ensure training courses meet the skills needs of the low-carbon economy.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, vice-chairman of the LGA, said: “Taking action now to combat climate change makes economic and environmental sense. If we do not take action to cut carbon emissions now then it will cost future generations more in the long run.

“Local government has many vitally important roles to play in helping businesses and residents through the economic downturn.

“Equipping the country to come through the recovery in a better position to combat climate change is one of the most important challenges councils face.”