Green economy’s future up for debate
THE impact of the green economy on Yorkshire’s cities up to 2020 is to come under expert scrutiny.
The University of Hull’s Centre for Adaptive Science and Sustainability (CASS), with BE Group and Quantum Strategy & Technology, have won a consortium bid to carry out the Green Jobs Project commissioned by Yorkshire Cities on behalf of its nine members.
The partnership will provide an evidence base for policy development and propose specific policy recommendations on the green economy and jobs growth in relation to the Yorkshire cities members and the city regions of Leeds, Sheffield and Hull and Humber Ports. It is also intended to inform the work of the new local enterprise partnerships.
Green Future: Pictured at the Greenhouse in Leeds are: (l-r) Duncan Yellen (Quantum), Richard Pearce (Quantum), Lynne Frostrick (CASS, University of Hull), Guy Hembury (CASS, University of Hull), Peter Crompton (BE Group) and Dr Andrew Kythreotis (CASS, University of Hull).
The study, which is due to be completed in March, will take a comprehensive approach to assessing strengths, opportunities and obstacles to growth through a detailed assessment of current capabilities and prediction of future trends.
It is the latest in a series of interrelated projects from Yorkshire Cities, an urban policy network for the main towns, cities and city regions in Yorkshire and the Humber.
To complete the project, Manchester-based Quantum Strategy & Technology, which has expertise in low carbon energy, resource efficiency and green jobs mapping, is taking a management role; CASS at the University of Hull will focus on research and development, education, skills and training, and Warrington-based BE Group will focus on urban planning, regeneration and green infrastructure issues.
Andrew Kythreotis, post doctoral research assistant at CASS, said: “The region is strategically positioned nationally, enabling it to be at the forefront of the drive to stimulate a low carbon economy by providing more green skills and jobs.
“The University of Hull, through CASS, is very much part of this drive, and takes pride in being a regional provider of the skills and knowledge base needed to take the national economy into a greener future.”
Richard Pearce, director of Quantum Strategy & Technology, said: “We have defined green jobs as those that help to decarbonise the energy system, improve resource efficiency and enhance the natural environment. We know the markets will look very different in 10 years’ time and the aim is to determine which sectors and jobs are destined for growth.
“We will be assessing the size and strength of green jobs, now and in the future, to enable us to advise the local authorities on maximising future green job opportunities.”
Nigel Guy, project manager of Yorkshire Cities, said: “We are delighted that the University of Hull will be working alongside Quantum Strategy & Technology and the BE Group to deliver this vital research. We hope that the findings will help both the public sector and private employers to succeed in creating local jobs through a greener economy.”
