THOUSANDS of workers are employed in green jobs in Poole, but the UK is lagging behind other nations for green manufacturing, new analysis reveals.
The Institute for Public Policy Research has found on average, 2,593 people were employed in manufacturing sectors related to the green transition across the Poole travel to work zone between 2016 and 2022.
Most of them – 2,053 – had jobs in industries like manufacturing parts for heat pumps, while the rest were working in producing parts for green transport and components for wind farms.
The IPPR said jobs in the net zero economy tend to be significantly more productive, paying on average £10,000 more per year than the national average salary.
It highlighted parts of the country that are well equipped to expand their capacity in green industries.
Out of 212 areas, Poole was in the top quartile for heat pumps and wind-power-related manufacturing, ranking seventh and 40th respectively.
The think tank said despite the significant decline, the UK is already world-leading in making one in three products vital to the green transition.
It is also strong at making electric trains and their parts, heat pump components, and turbines for geothermal or hydro electricity generation.
Dr George Dibb, head of the IPPR’s centre for economic justice, said: "The UK faces three generational challenges: to deliver net zero, to level up and reinvigorate our economy, and to become more resilient to future shocks.
"These challenges have a common solution - seizing the growth opportunities of green manufacturing."
The IPPR also found parts of the UK with comparative advantages for green industries. Poole was in the top 10 places of potential to benefit from heat pumps manufacturing.
Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the Confederation of British Industry, said: "Green truly is the economic growth opportunity of the 21st century, with our research showing it could deliver as much as £57 billion to the UK economy. That's something we can't afford to miss out on, and our manufacturing sector is fundamental to helping us secure that prize.
"The race is now on to build on our expertise in advanced manufacturing and leverage our established supply chains to make the most of the green opportunities on offer."
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