Report by Shared Intelligence for Friends of the Earth and Ashden, January 2022
This report outlines actions that local governments and their partners can take to deliver green jobs, with emphasis on the needs of local communities – particularly disadvantaged communities who may not naturally consider opportunities within the green jobs market or might be left behind without explicit consideration in developing green jobs and skills strategies. This report is focused on cities and local authorities in the United Kingdom, but the research cited and recommendations have relevance to cities worldwide.
The report provides definitions of green jobs and skills, outlines why they are important to place-shaping, and summarises the role of local government in driving progress. It also includes a series of case studies identifying actions taken by councils to advance green jobs and skills, good practices, and a set of recommendations and practical actions that councils and their partners can take forward.
The report outlines recommendations for areas where local government can have the most impact, including:
- Identify the most effective geographic area for action to deliver green jobs and skills outcomes. Develop a governance arrangement to deliver across respective actions.
- Increase green job opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds using the levers available to local government including procurement, social value and by working with local education providers, employers and grassroots networks.
- Develop and publish an evidence base using a clear chosen definition of green jobs and skills, which sets out challenges, opportunities and growth needs across industries for the locality. This should be developed across an economic geography with key partners which makes sense to the locality and positions opportunities within the wider sub region.
- Strengthen green skills and knowledge across the council so that all council departments can play a role in boosting green jobs and skills.
- Work across local anchor organisations including local government, education, trade unions and business to stimulate demand for green jobs and skills. Consider doing this through a green skills taskforce or similar entity to drive change.
- Use the evidence base and dialogue to take advantage of funding opportunities, build confidence in the market and deliver advocacy to ensure core investment priority messages are heard by central government.
