The number of ‘green’ jobs being advertised in the West Country has risen over the last year but growth was lower than the UK average, a new report shows.
PwC’s latest Green Jobs Barometer rose from 2.7% in 2023 to 3.4% in 2024. It found that employees’ confidence in the environmental friendliness of their employers had improved over the last 12 months.
The professional services firm defines ‘green’ jobs as roles that seek to produce or provide eco products and services, or adapt work processes to become more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources. Jobs that support the green economy are also included.
When asked whether more jobs would be created or lost in the UK’s transition to net zero, only 18% of South West respondents believed there would be a net gain – fewer than in any other nation or region.
The green employment multiplier in the South West rose to 2.4 in 2024, up from 2.2 in 2023. This means that for every 10 new green jobs created, an additional 24 jobs are generated elsewhere in the economy, reflecting the opportunities for growth presented by the transition to net zero.
Tom Ayerst, market senior partner for PwC in Bristol, said: “Although the South West continues to improve across the Green Jobs Barometer’s metrics, a decline in the rate of progress has seen it fall slightly in the rankings – a good reminder that progress against the net zero agenda will require sustained effort and investment.
“If plans for investment in hydrogen infrastructure and future sustainable air fuels, as championed by the Western Gateway, are successful, they could create 40,000 direct roles directly and support 60,000 more across an area from Pembrokeshire to Wiltshire. Joined-up planning at a cross-regional level is vital as the South West makes the case for significant investment – which would provide a shot in the arm to the green jobs market here.”
Nationally, the barometer revealed a significant surge in green job adverts across the UK, reflecting a growing demand for green skills despite a 22.5% contraction in the overall job market.
The share of green job adverts as a proportion of total job adverts increased to 3.3% over the year – up from 2.3% in 2023 – adding nearly 23,000 new vacancies.
London led the English regions in the total number of green job adverts, with over 58,500, while Scotland had the highest proportion of job adverts considered green at 5.6%, totalling approximately 28,700 roles.