If councils in Greater Manchester insulated buildings and fitted green energy across the region, it could create over 1,000 jobs as well as slashing climate-changing emissions, according to independent research released by Manchester Friends of the Earth today (Thursday 25 June).
The research – by social enterprise and environment experts Carbon Descent – was published to launch a new nationwide campaign calling for local councils take urgent action to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Friends of the Earth’s campaign – Get Serious About CO2 – is calling on councils to commit to cutting carbon dioxide emissions in their local area by at least 40 per cent by 2020 and produce an action plan detailing how they will make the cuts.
The new research analyses the manpower required to insulate homes and businesses and install green energy on buildings – which are two of the key ways in which councils could achieve a reduction in their emissions at least 40 per cent by 2020.
New jobs could be available as loft laggers, architects, plumbers, builders, electricians, plasterers and insulation specialists – with new admin, transit and warehouse positions also created to support the installation of insulation and renewable energy.
The council has a big say over local energy, housing and transport. But at the moment, the councils across Greater Manchester have no clear plan for how they might reduce their emissions over the next decade.
The latest science tells us that rich countries like the UK have to cut their emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020. Otherwise, climate change will make a billion of the poorest people in the world homeless – and people in the UK will be affected too by increased flooding and droughts, rising food prices and economic instability.
Ali Abbas from the Manchester Friends of the Earth group said:
“With every day seeming to bring more headlines of economic gloom and job losses, Greater Manchester could really use the boost from 1,000 new local jobs insulating homes and installing renewable energy.
“If councils across Greater Manchester fully insulated buildings and fitted them with green energy, it would not only cut carbon dioxide emissions, it would also create jobs, slash people’s fuel bills, and protect those most vulnerable to cold weather.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Contact Manchester Friends of the Earth by phone on 0161 234 2974 or by email at office@manchesterfoe.org.uk. For further information visit www.manchesterfoe.org.uk
[2] Carbon Descent is an independent social enterprise and environmental trust that creates strategies and delivers solutions that measurably reduce carbon footprints. Carbon Descent has worked in the key areas of energy, resource use, transport, the built environment and renewables for over 10 years, partnering with local authorities, private business, charities and communities. For further information visit www.carbondescent.org.uk
[3] The figure of 1,000 potential jobs was calculated from a model developed by Carbon Descent based on how many man hours it would take to fit insulation and renewable energy in a local authority area, with each job to last for a period of 10 years. The figure was calculated from:
- Estimates of the number of homes in Manchester with cavity walls but without cavity wall insulation (25,250); the number of homes without good loft insulation (65,870) and the potential number of combined heat and power schemes (66). This data was mainly obtained from the Energy Savings Trust Homes Energy Efficiency Database.
- Data from Carbon Descent’s study on Middlesbrough about the extent of measures that would be necessary for the council to cut emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020. This data was extrapolated for the size of Manchester.
- The figure of 200 jobs for Manchester was extrapolated to 1,000 jobs for Greater Manchester on the basis of relative population size.
[4] Friends of the Earth’s campaign – Get Serious About CO2 – is calling on councils across Greater Manchester to commit to cutting carbon dioxide in the local area by at least 40 per cent by 2020 – and produce an action plan detailing how it’s going to happen. The campaign is also calling for more money and less hassle for councils to do things like improve public transport, insulate more homes and install green energy, and for a new duty on councils that fail to act on climate change.
[5] Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. We campaign on a range of issues including climate change, biodiversity, waste, transport and food. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.
