The net zero sector is expanding three times faster than the overall UK economy, according to analysis by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). This expansion has generated £83bn in gross value added (GVA) and created nearly a million high-wage jobs across the country. The sector grew by 10% in 2024, with average wages in net zero businesses reaching £43,000, £5,600 above the national average.
The CBI report emphasizes that economic growth and climate action can coexist and improve livelihoods. This contradicts claims by Reform UK that “net zero is crippling our economy,” and contradicts the Conservative party’s stance that net zero leaves the economy worse off.
The report also highlights the broadband distribution of net zero jobs across the UK, finding the largest hotspots of activity in areas like the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and south-west England. In Scotland, net zero jobs have increased by 20% since 2022, with higher productivity compared to the UK average.
Energy security and economic and social benefits are among the many advantages the net zero economy can deliver. High energy bills have been blamed on soaring gas prices after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and increasing clean energy in the UK would mitigate these costs. Despite the strong net zero growth in the UK, it has been noted that the sector contributes 50% more to economies across the EU and a record 10% to China’s GDP.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/24/britain-net-zero-economy-booming-cbi-green-sector-jobs-energy-security
