Powering Up Yorkshire: How the Region Can Lead the UK’s Green Revolution

By Arran Taylor, partner, Deloitte Leeds

 

Yorkshire, renowned for its industrial heritage and innovative spirit, has always been at the forefront of progress. Now is the time to leverage this legacy to become a driving force in the UK’s transition to a green economy. The region possesses the raw ingredients – from natural resources to a skilled workforce – to be at the forefront of clean energy production, sustainable manufacturing, and green job creation. But realising this potential requires a concerted effort to harness these strengths, and it’s imperative that collaboration is fostered across sectors.

Collaborating for a greener supply chain

One of the key areas where this collaborative spirit is already emerging is in building sustainable supply chains. Up to 70% of corporate carbon emissions are Scope 3 emissions (those which occur up and down a company’s supply chain). For companies to achieve net zero, many are looking for suppliers that use renewable energy, companies that can provide distribution in electric vehicles, or raw materials suppliers that can offer more sustainable components to support redesigned products. Similarly, we’ve seen a more collective responsibility taken by manufacturers to support their customer base in using a lower-carbon product, or disposing of their product in a different way. Collaboration needs to be fostered between businesses large and small to support and engage SMEs and unlock the full potential of the whole Yorkshire economy.    

World-first clean energy projects

Beyond supply chains transformation, Yorkshire has immense potential in green energy production. We already boast some of the largest projects in the world, including a wind farm off the North East coast of England with single turbines that can provide enough clean energy to power 16,000 British households. By attracting further investment in renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind and solar power, the region can not only meet its own energy needs but become a net exporter of clean energy. The global shift towards renewables creates a unique opportunity to leverage Yorkshire’s existing industrial base for the development of green technologies and manufacturing processes. Partnerships between local universities and world-class engineering firms has resulted in fantastic innovation that has played a huge part in the progression of wind power.  Similar partnerships are forming around the potential of carbon capture, utilisation and storage carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen technologies which will play a similar role in decarbonising the critical industries located in the Humber region.  

Upskilling a green workforce

Of course, this ambition hinges on having a workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the burgeoning green economy. Addressing the skills gap in the green sector is therefore paramount, requiring strong partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions. Devolution in Hull and East Yorkshire could be the catalyst for further advances in this area. The pot of £400m said to be available to the new Combined Authority could expand the availability of apprenticeships, qualifications, and retraining programmes to support green engineering and other sustainable roles. Enterprises such as Grimsby-based industrial apprenticeship provider CATCH are already fostering dialogue and exploring collaborative training programs, paving the way for a pipeline of skilled workers ready to power Yorkshire’s green revolution.

Securing regional government funding

Underpinning these efforts is the need for strategic investment aligned with the UK government’s industrial strategy, which has identified green growth as a key area for development. The National Wealth Fund presents a significant opportunity to accelerate Yorkshire’s progress in this vital sector. By directing this fund towards green infrastructure projects, renewable energy initiatives, and skills development programs specifically in the region, the government can unlock significant economic growth and job creation. Investing in Yorkshire’s green potential is not only an investment in a sustainable future but also an investment in a prosperous future for the region and the UK as a whole. We’re on the cusp of a green revolution – and Yorkshire is going to be right at the heart of it.

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