The UK's net zero economy is now worth more than £100bn a year, according to fresh analysis from CBI Economics commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. The research also found the sector supports over a million jobs across the country, offering higher wages than the national average.
The findings underscore the economic heft of Britain's green industries amid political debate over climate targets. The CBI study describes the net zero transition as a national economic driver, with nearly half a trillion pounds in investment already in the pipeline.
Beyond job creation, the report highlights that the green economy's benefits are spread across all UK regions. A separate investment tally by the same group recorded close to £500bn in capital earmarked for clean energy, low-carbon transport, and energy efficiency projects.
The research comes as some political voices call for scrapping the UK's 2050 net zero goal. Proponents of the targets argue this data shows climate action is not a cost but an opportunity for growth and high-quality employment across the country.
Countering this optimistic view, critics point to rising household energy bills and the upfront costs of decarbonisation, arguing that the transition risks burdening consumers and small businesses unless carefully managed.