Research shows growth in the UK’s green economy

• 3 June 2026
• Corporate, Environment, Government
• CBI Economics

The U.K.’s net zero economy is now worth more than £100 billion a year, accounting for about 4% of the country’s economic output, according to new research from CBI Economics.
 
The report said the sector could attract a further £455 billion in investment in energy infrastructure projects already in development.
This growth in a green economy has been driven by the UK governments commitments to decarbonise the U.K.’s electricity system by 2030 and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The net zero industry currently supports more than 1 million jobs, rising to about 1.1 million when including supply chains and related businesses, with these employees earning 11% higher than the national average at £43,000 a year.

Despite the economic growth, some critics have called for net zero targets to be scrapped. Some political parties have proposed retracting initial commitments and reducing support for renewable energy.

Instead, some politicians, including former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, have backed investments in North Sea oil and gas jobs. Despite decline in recent years, with about 200,000 jobs lost since 2013, even with continued government support.

Hellum states “net zero economy is becoming central to the country’s future competitiveness,” reinforcing its value to the country’s economic growth and competitiveness within the global market.

The research was conducted by CBI Economics and commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think tank. The estimates include companies and jobs directly involved in activities supporting the transition to net zero.