According to the PwC Green Jobs Barometer, almost a fifth of jobs adverts in the UK defined as ‘green’ are based in the North.
The barometer, now in its fourth year, tracks the movement in green jobs creation, job loss, carbon intensity of employment, and worker sentiment across regions and sectors. This year’s results show that 18% of green jobs are on offer in the North.
Despite a reduction in green jobs adverts this year, the North West has the highest volume of green jobs adverts in the region with more than 25,000 green roles. This equates to a 3.2% share of the total jobs market in the North West, up from 2.5% in 2023.
Although it has the smallest increase in the share of green job adverts, at 2.4% of the total job market, the North East saw a considerable 25% jump in the number of green job adverts, at nearly 6,100.
Although regionally the UK’s green job creation is improving, the increase is disproportionately concentrated in London and the South East. These regions collectively represent approximately a third (34%) of all new green jobs.
Compared to the North’s best performing area – the North West – which has 25,284 green job advertisements, London and the South East have 92,496 roles on offer. And while population density is a factor, the South’s dominance is reinforced by the fact that more than 34% of all the green jobs being created today are in professional, scientific and technical industries, with a continuing gap in new green trade jobs which are equally vital to the net zero transition.
Adam Waller (pictured), ESG lead for the North and Manchester’s Market senior partner, said: “It’s crucial for the North to be at the centre of the green energy transition. The data shows us that green energy jobs are having an increasing importance in the job market for the North West, and almost 18% of the number of jobs available that meet the barometer’s definition of ‘green’ can be found in the North.
“However, the region’s role in the UK net zero ambitions is not without its challenges. Despite the large amount of green investment in the North – from Atrato’s solar farm in Yorkshire, AESC’s battery plant expansion in the North East and Aira’s climate tech research hub in Trafford – the geographical spread of green jobs is weighted heavily towards the south of the country.
“Given the scale of traditional industry and manufacturing, as well as its natural assets, such as wind and tidal energy generation, the opportunity is there for the North to play a key role in the energy transition. However, it will be critical to create the roles and provide the skills to capture this opportunity.”
