02 Nov Green Jobs and Skills for Londoners: Cross-London report published
This research represents the most comprehensive assessment of the impact of decarbonisation on London’s labour market. It was commissioned by Central London Forward, Local London, South London Partnership and West London Alliance – the four sub-regional partnerships who together represent the 33 local authorities in the capital. It was carried out by WPI Economics and Institute for Employment Studies.
Read the Full Report or Summary Slides
The transition to net zero represents an unprecedented opportunity for the capital’s economy, with the prospect of over 600,000 green jobs by 2030.
The research shows that the green sector is already important for London’s economy. In 2020 there were 234,000 jobs in green sectors in the capital, accounting for nearly one in 20 jobs (4.4%). The power (83,000), homes and buildings (58,000), and green finance sectors (51,000) accounted for most green jobs. London’s green sector generated £42bn of sales in 2020/21.
London will see rapid growth in green jobs in the coming years, as the sector becomes increasingly crucial for the capital’s economy. The research forecasts the number of green jobs will increase from 234,000 in 2020 to 605,000 in 2030, and over 1m by 2050. This represents an increase of almost 350% in just three decades. Job growth will be fastest in green finance and low carbon transport.
Helping Londoners develop the skills they need for green jobs will be crucial in meeting the rapidly rising demand for workers in the sector. This will require both a significant expansion in relevant further education and higher education provision, and more people opting to move into green sectors on leaving education. However, given most workers moving into green jobs coming from other sectors rather than from education, we will also need to support workers already in the labour market to switch sectors and move into green jobs.
The report also highlights the potential to use the shift to a green economy to tackle deep inequalities in London’s labour market, by helping disadvantaged Londoners into good quality jobs. However, addressing inequalities in access to green jobs will be crucial to ensuring all Londoners can benefit from the transformation of our economy. At present, men are over-represented in green jobs (70% compared to 54% across economy as a whole) as are white people (72% compared to 64%).
Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of LB Hounslow and Chair of the West London Skills & Employment Board:
“The West London boroughs are committed to capitalising on opportunities for green jobs for our residents as part of our collaborative work through our Build & Recover plan for economic recovery. The piece of research undertaken by WPI Economics and the Institute for Employment Studies to better understand green jobs and the green skills landscape will steer how we and our partners help our residents into these crucial jobs of the future, work with the skills system to respond to employers’ needs and champion an important growth sector for our sub-region and for London.”