Net-Zero North: Delivering the decarbonisation mission in the north of England

Article

The British economy is at a critical juncture. Its future success depends on overcoming two major, interrelated problems – long-term structural weaknesses in investment, productivity and trade, and the need to decarbonise. In this context, the north of England faces a particular challenge.

The North’s economy is more carbon intensive than the English average, and its many carbon-intensive industries face a challenging transition. It is also suffering from a lack of investment relative to other regions, particularly London.

However, the North has a large economic potential, more of which could be unlocked from directed investment, and is already realising many of the opportunities of decarbonisation, with a vibrant low-carbon goods and services sector and nearly half of England’s renewables generation.

Related items

  1. Analysis of industry claims about the effects of higher gambling taxes

    Our response to the backlash from the gambling industry on calls for higher taxes.
  2. A group of teenage students wearing maroon t-shirts smiling and responding to a teacher during a rehearsal

    Rethinking child poverty through enrichment accounts

    Every child should have access to activities that build confidence, skills, and opportunity, regardless of income.
  3. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget

    The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…