This page highlights key data, from a range of sources, for different regions across the UK. In the future, as the Green Careers Hub continues to grow, we hope to be able to also support those working in green jobs internationally.
Use the map to find out about the roles, sectors and projects that will impact the need for green jobs in your local area.
Discover the green landscape in your region
East Midlands
Jobs required across different sectors
Nearly 97,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, nearly 19,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
11,300 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 45,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 20,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Transition opportunities
Around 258,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 264,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 6.14%, compared to 4.69% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Major decarbonisation of growth plan generating 50,000 jobs by 2050
Freeport being developed at East Midlands Airport driving the creation of 60,000 jobs.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech
Engineering and advanced manufacturing (aerospace)
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Green construction
Green energy
Health and social care
Hospitality.
East of England
Jobs required across different sectors
Nearly 120,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, nearly 28,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
14,100 jobs are required each year to improve homes
More than 76,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 26,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
Transition opportunities
Around 184,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 189,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 4.70%, compared to 6.66% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Freeport being developed at the Ports of Felixstowe and Harwich including a major hydrogen project (£150m) with Scottish Power.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech
Digital (including virtual reality)
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Green construction
Green energy
Health and social care
Life sciences
Waste management.
London
Jobs required across different sectors
Nearly 144,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, just over 34,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
17,100 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 32,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 56,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
At least 40,000 green apprentice starts are targeted from 2021 to 2024.
Transition opportunities
Around 540,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 473,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 11.59%, compared to 14.64% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Freeport being developed in London Gateway and the Port of Tilbury
Some put the potential for green jobs in London as high as 500,000 by 2030.
Local priority areas
Digital
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Green construction
Green energy
Waste management.
North East
Jobs required across different sectors
Over 84,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, over 21,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
6,600 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 65,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 7,600 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
At least 13,000 green apprentice starts are targeted from 2021 to 2024
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in Northumberland, Tyneside and the Teesside coast.
Transition opportunities
Around 107,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 111,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 2.60%, compared to 4.07% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Freeport being developed including Teesside International Airport and in the ports of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool
Teeswork site (4,500 acres) development focusing on offshore wind/clean energy, chemicals and advanced manufacturing.
Local priority areas
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering and advanced manufacturing (especially automotive)
Green energy (especially offshore and subsea technologies, and hydrogen)
Health and health science.
North West
Jobs required across different sectors
Over 170,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, just over 60,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
17,800 jobs required each year to improve homes
Around 60,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 32,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
At least 21,000 green apprentice starts are targeted from 2021 to 2024
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in North Lancashire, South Cumbria, Greater Manchester and the Mersey River.
Transition opportunities
Around 366,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 364,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 16.1%, compared to 9.35% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
£1bn HyNet (hydrogen energy and carbon capture project) has the potential to create 5,000 new jobs by 2025
Part of the North West ‘Coastal Arc’, which aims to deliver clean and sustainable growth, in particular through wind farms (15 in all) with the Offshore Energy Alliance
Freeport being developed in Liverpool City Region in the Port of Liverpool .
Local priority areas
Advanced manufacturing
Agri-tech
Built environment and construction/retrofit
Clean energy production (wind)
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering
Food and agriculture
Green construction/retrofit
Green energy
Health
Land-based industries/natural capital
Logistics
Marine/maritime
Natural capital/environment
Nuclear
Recycling
Transport.
Northern Ireland
Jobs required across different sectors
Green economy accounts for 5,000 jobs
To get to net zero by 2050, nearly 14,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
3,100 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 11,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 2,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
Nearly 1,800 potential jobs to be created by nature related investment and projects.
Transition opportunities
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 1.33%, compared to 1.28% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Two major battery storage sites developed by the Low Carbon and Gore Street Energy Storage Fund
Collaborative Circular Economy Network established bringing together councils and businesses
New waste management infrastructure proposed to reduce landfill.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech
Digital
Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Green energy
Health and life sciences
Waste management.
Scotland
Jobs required across different sectors
To get to net zero by 2050, nearly 49,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
11,400 jobs required each year to improve homes
More than 78,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
There are 195,000 nature-based sector jobs already
Around 25,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in many areas across Scotland.
Transition opportunities
Around 255,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 246,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 13.53%, compared to 23.99% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Two green Freeports – locations yet to be announced
Major renewable energy projects e.g., Hywind Scotland (floating wind farm) and MeyGen (tidal array), as part of the current 11.6 gigawatt renewable energy generating capacity, with a further 13 gigawatts in the pipeline.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech/food and drink
Circular economy (including material repurposing)
Digital
Financial and business services
Hospitality and tourism
Green energy
Land-based (including peat restoration and woodland creation)
Life sciences.
South East of England
Jobs required across different sectors
Over 163,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, nearly 55,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
20,500 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 76,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 55,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
At least 2,000 green apprentice starts are targeted from 2021 to 2024
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in the Thames Valley, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire.
Transition opportunities
Around 433,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 415,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 11.22%, compared to 13.69% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Freeport being developed in the ports of Southampton, Portsmouth and Portsmouth International
Setting up Home Decarbonisation Academy and Construction Skills Academy (see Net Zero Portsmouth) to drive retrofit programme
Four major wind farms being developed
Growth of the Harwell Science Complex from 6,000 (today) to 20,000 jobs over the next decade.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech
Digital (including automation, artificial intelligence, and augmented and virtual reality)
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Green construction
Green energy
Green transport (including jet zero and hydrogen)
Health and social care
Marine/maritime
Robotics.
Wales
Jobs required across different sectors
To get to net zero by 2050, just over 25,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
7,900 jobs required each year to improve homes
More than 23,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 8,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
in 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in South and North East Wales.
Transition opportunities
Around 127,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 135,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 1.55%, compared to 1.97% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
One Freeport – location yet to be announced
29 projects to tackle climate and nature emergencies
Morlais Infrastructure Project to develop tidal energy expertise
17 national infrastructure energy projects.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech/food
Digital
Engineering and advanced manufacturing (including advanced materials)
Green construction
Green energy
Hospitality and tourism
Life sciences.
West Midlands
Jobs required across different sectors
Over 97,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, over 35,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
14,200 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 40,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 24,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
At least 19,000 green apprentice starts are targeted from 2021 to 2024
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in Warwickshire.
Transition opportunities
Around 326,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 335,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 5.32%, compared to 5.69% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Green buildings (decarbonisation) generating 30,000 new green jobs by 2041
New gigafactories employing 8,000 by 2041
Nature recovery generating 3,000 new forestry workers by 2041.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech
Digital
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Fintech
Green construction
Green energy
Health and social care.
Yorkshire and Humberside
Jobs required across different sectors
Over 168,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, over 17,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
13,700 jobs are required each year to improve homes
Nearly 90,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
At least 11,000 green apprentice starts are targeted from 2021 to 2024
Around 17,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022
In 2023, net zero economic activity will take place in Leeds, Yorkshire and Humber.
Transition opportunities
Around 284,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 294,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 4.29%, compared to 6.79% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Offshore wind is expected to generate 60,000 jobs by 2032 (direct and indirect)
Humberside Industrial Cluster Plan focusing on decarbonisation of the chemicals complex
Construction and infrastructure pipeline projects valued at £11.8bn
Freeport being developed in Humberside and in the Port of Immingham.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech
Carbon capture
Digital
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Green construction
Green energy
Health and social care.
South West of England
Jobs required across different sectors
Nearly 140,000 low-carbon jobs predicted by 2050
To get to net zero by 2050, nearly 44,000 energy generation and network jobs are needed
13,300 jobs required each year to improve homes
More than 50,000 green infrastructure jobs are required by 2031
Around 32,000 green job advertisements were promoted in 2022.
Transition opportunities
Around 220,000 jobs will require upskilling due to the transition to net zero
An estimated 220,000 existing jobs are already aligned to the demands of the transition to net zero
The percentage share of low carbon jobs in the region is 21.64%, compared to 7.18% high carbon.
Key projects that could impact employment
Freeport being developed in Plymouth and South Devon, including the Port of Plymouth
North Devon Biosphere Programme – £50m investment generating 1,300 jobs by 2027.
Local priority areas
Agri-tech/aqua-culture
Digital
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Engineering and advanced manufacturing (including aerospace)
Green construction/retrofit
Green energy
Green transport (including jet zero and hydrogen)
Health and social care
Marine
Nuclear.
Note: The data in this map was collated by IEMA and The Green Edge, and obtained from the following reports. Note that the data varies from different sources, and so is aiming to give an overview of opportunity and change, rather than the exact figures. All LEP/Skills Advisory Panel documents for 2022 can be accessed here through a government listing of all 36 LEPs or their equivalent. The 2023 link will be added once available. Sector or technology focus areas were also drawn from the Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund for 2022-23 for the development of Local Skills Improvement Plans.
Placed-Based Climate Action Network dataset Just Transition Jobs Tracker (JTJT), developed by the London School of Economics and University of Leeds.
The Green New Deal draw upon a European methodology (Unlocking the Potential of Zero Carbon, 2018) to derive green infrastructure jobs both short term (two years) and longer term (10 years) and was released in April 2021.
Direct and indirect jobs in order to meet net zero by 2050. Source: National Grid, 2020, page 11 in Building the Net Zero Workforce.
The Green Edge is a weekly newsletter and podcast that investigates and writes about the skills that people will need for the Green Economy and Net Zero.
This is your opportunity to be part of the solution to climate change, biodiversity loss, the plastic waste crisis and other environmental challenges. In response to the global need for action, the UK government has a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and to turn around the decline in our natural environment. This can only be achieved with a trained workforce with relevant skills.
