Clean energy refers to energy sources and technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and hydrogen that produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions
Clean energy industries are expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade, with up to 50,000 new jobs projected across the North East and Yorkshire alone. But for local and regional decision makers, a key challenge remains: understanding where these jobs will emerge, what skills they will require, and how to ensure local people can access these opportunities. Existing data sources provide inconsistent estimates, making it difficult to plan effectively for workforce development and investment.
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub commissioned Little Lion Research to build a clearer regional picture of clean energy jobs and skills demand
We ran an online survey of and consulted with combined authorities across the region to explore how they currently measure and track clean energy activity. We audited the datasets used to estimate clean energy jobs, comparing regional and national approaches against the UK’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan. We developed case studies of major clean energy projects in the North East and Yorkshire to illustrate how jobs are being created in practice.
Our work helped the Hub:
clarify where future workforce demand is likely to be concentrated.
identify priority sectors and occupations for investment.
improve understanding of how clean energy jobs are defined and measured.
inform the development of education, training and business support programmes.
The research provides a foundation for ensuring that the North East and Yorkshire can maximise the economic opportunities of the transition to clean energy and that local people are well placed to benefit from the jobs it will create.