New research shows that over 11,600 jobs could be created in Dorset across green infrastructure and care work in the next two years, rising to more than 27,000 over 10 years.
The data, compiled by Green New Deal UK, shows that Dorset is likely to suffer over 26,000 permanent job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, losses which could be replaced entirely with jobs in new and existing industries.
The data includes jobs in sectors like solar energy, offshore wind, social care and energy efficiency – all of which are essential to the UK meeting its national and international climate targets.
Improvements to public transport infrastructure will be of particular interest to Dorset’s rural residents, where above average reliance on private vehicles increases congestion and air pollution on our roads, adding to living costs in an already expensive area to live. Investment in the care sector will help enable the County’s sizeable ageing population enjoy more supported and dignified latter years.
The wide range of new jobs will help the areas unemployment hot spots and provide quality employment opportunities for the next generation of school and college leavers at the same time as reducing the local risks associated with climate change including coastal erosion and sea level rises, localised flooding and the loss of natural habitat.
Previous research from Green New Deal UK found that 1.2m green jobs could be created throughout Britain in the next two years at a cost of around £68bn – far less than the £100bn infrastructure investment commitment made last year.
This news comes at the same time that the Government has just cut air passenger duty on domestic flights, frozen fuel duty, invested £27 billion in a roads programme, tried to open a new coal mine and cut £1.5 billion from the flagship home energy efficiency programme.
Local GND organiser Chloe Sutcliffe, a recent Animal Biology and Conservation Graduate, has been highlighting how many of her generation have the motivation and skills to address the environmental challenges we face, but simply cannot find appropriate work;
“It’s great to have the detailed research showing that you can tackle unemployment and create jobs whilst tackling climate change at the same time.
We know that we can’t afford not to do this. There’s an unemployment crisis and a climate crisis and a Green New Deal can create thousands of good green jobs right here in Dorset.
The Government could invest in these green jobs right now to boost our economic recoverybut they are refusing to. If you compare what we are spending to France and Germany and the US we are falling behind what is really needed to tackle unemployment and the recession, let alone sort out climate change.”
Mark Chivers, Project Lead of Zero Carbon Dorset added “Looking across the county there are numerous initiatives and opportunities to address the climate and ecological crises. Through the coordinated action of individuals, community groups, businesses, and the local councils (if they step up their Climate and Ecological Emergency plans) we can make significant inroads on addressing these twin crises. However, what also becomes clear when looking at the data, is that the level of transformational change required to address these crises, as well as addressing our issues of inequality and moving to a green economy, cannot be achieved without significant Government support. This report shows how we could address these interlinked crises while enhancing the lives of Dorset citizens.”
Residents can look up the total jobs in their constituency by visiting https://www.greennewdealuk.org/campaigns/green-jobs-take-action/ and supporters of the initiative can share this information directly to their Social Media accounts while tagging their local MP asking them to act on the proposal.
Further information from local GND Spokesperson Chloe Sutcliffe via [email protected]
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