A just transition: Realising the opportunities of decarbonisation in the north of England

Article

Decarbonisation holds huge opportunities for the north of England. The energy sector is one of the North’s ‘prime capabilities’. The region has a leading low-carbon goods and services sector - accounting for around a third of all jobs in the sector in England. It has world-renowned universities and leading expertise in technologies such as nuclear power, hydrogen and offshore wind. This is matched by the many historic, geographic and geological advantages that exist in the region.

In short, there is substantial potential for the north of England to become the new heartland for a low-carbon energy economy. Up to 46,000 jobs could be created by 2030 just in the power sector, the focus of this report, alone.

In the past, industrial change has been poorly managed, including in the north of England, resulting in regional inequalities. But a well-managed ‘just transition’ could build on the economic strengths of the north of England and deliver a high-skill, high-wage, low-carbon economy of the future.

We have identified three key challenges that exist in delivering a just transition.

  • Lack of policy certainty and ambition.
  • Failure to put a ‘just transition’ at the heart of decarbonisation policy and industrial strategy.
  • An ill-equipped skills system.

In this report we discuss these challenges in more detail and make the case for a new approach that puts economic and social justice at the heart of energy and skills policy in the North. To achieve this, we set out a range of recommendations that are crucial to this ambition and ultimately form the components of a Just Transition Strategy for the north of England.

Related items

  1. A view of Glasgow, Scotland, from above.

    More than a safety net: The welfare state as springboard to economic success and a better country

    A perceived conflict between social spending and economic dynamism is deeply embedded in both Scottish and UK political discourse.
  2. The Home Office building in London

    Far from settled: The government’s ‘earned settlement’ consultation

    How long should people have to wait until they can permanently settle in the UK? This is the core question underpinning the Home Office’s ‘earned settlement’ policy, currently out for consultation.

  3. Rethinking public sector productivity

    This is the second in a series of IPPR Scotland blogs as part of our project on Employment, Productivity and Reform in the Scottish Public Sector. This project is funded by the Robertson Trust.