Think Global and Open up Key Low Carbon Markets, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
Release Date: 2010-03-11
New figures out today show the UK low carbon sector performed strongly in the recession – particularly the solar power market which energised exports to the tune of over £1 billion last yearAccording to the figures, the UK low carbon environmental goods and services market grew by 4.3% in 2009 and is now worth £112bn, employing over 900,000 people, a significant increase on previous estimates.
The figures, compiled by Innovas, also show the fastest growing areas are carbon finance (7.9% growth) and wind power generation (6.5%) while the UK solar power market grew almost 6% last year. Solar power exports were equivalent to 24% of the UK’s activity in the solar power sector.
The figures come on the day around 170 UK small and medium-sized companies gather in central London to hear how UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can help them to crack the fastest-growing low carbon markets in the world - China, India, US and Latin America.
The government will also announce a comprehensive Global Review of Low Carbon Business Opportunities. The joint review by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, Department of Energy and Climate Change and UKTI is an important cross-government project that will match the UK's strengths and competitive advantages, both present and future, to emerging opportunities in overseas markets. It will make full use of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and UKTI’s extensive overseas networks to provide detailed assessments of how the policies and commitments of individual governments will translate into new investment. The review will consult widely with business and other experts in order to prioritise economies and, within those economies, prioritise individual sectors.
Over the past few years, the Government has placed the transition to a low carbon economy at the heart of its economic policies, through the New Industry New Jobs initiative and the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. The government has invested well over £400 million and created six Low Carbon Economic Areas across the country.
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) |
| Country: | United Kingdom |