Trade unions Prospect and GMB have released new data suggesting the British public will run out of patience with net zero plans unless they see proof it is delivering opportunities for people.
According to the survey, 55% of respondents want to see jobs and the UK economy prioritised over the speed of net zero transition. The leading energy unions — which represent tens of thousands of professionals in the sector — have launched a new campaign group in response, Climate Jobs UK.
The organisation will advocate a ‘workers-first’ approach to decarbonisation, which those responsible claim is necessary to ensure ‘good jobs’ are created in low carbon energy. They also want to see Downing Street’s industrial strategy refocus on communities and employees likely to see a decline in job opportunities.
More worryingly for policymakers, just three-in-ten voters believes energy transition will have a positive impact on the jobs market nationally. Even less — 20% — say the think it will create more jobs in their local area. And less than one-in-ten say they have seen career prospects improve in their region as a result of transition.
By comparison, people are more positive about the transition’s impact on the planet — with 52% saying this would be favourable — and 33% agreeing this will reduce Britain’s reliance on foreign energy. Only 12% believe they will see bills reduce. Unsurprisingly, there are clear differences in perception of the net zero drawn on party lines, with 55% saying they believe this is a positive step for the country, but 48% of Reform supporters considering this will be a negative move.
The numbers are particularly significant to Westminster, as they analysis also showed that 5.5million people, or around 8% of the UK’s total population, either work in energy or know someone who does. However, just 22% of participants said they believed energy workers should be involved in decisions around future policy, below the energy companies (40%), local and national politicians (26% and 46% respectively).
‘The biggest challenge with the energy transition is no longer climate technology, it is climate jobs.
“We are going to need tens of thousands of workers to deliver this huge shift in the way we produce and use energy. Building on the clean energy industrial strategy, the opportunity is to deliver good, clean energy jobs for the people and places that most need them,’ said Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy.
‘But this research shows that people aren’t yet seeing those jobs materialise, and if this continues then it will undermine support for the transition and drive people towards parties who oppose it and would put the future of the industry at risk,’ he continued. ‘The government have raised the ambition on energy policy, which is welcome, now they need to be bigger and bolder when it comes to energy jobs and put energy workers at the heart of this agenda.’
Image: Clem Onojeghuo / Unsplash
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