Question reference: S6W-20500
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 9 August 2023
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Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 24 August 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created as a result of the Energy Transition Fund awards that meet the Office for National Statistics definition of "green jobs", which is “employment in an activity that contributes to protecting or restoring the environment, including those that mitigate or adapt to climate change”.
Answer
The definition of green jobs as referenced was published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in March in 2023. The ONS are now developing a detailed framework to support this definition, including the identification of appropriate activities and categories.
Given this is still under development, I cannot currently provide accurate estimates on how many green jobs will be created over the long term via Energy Transition Fund funding. However, tens of thousands of jobs could be supported, if ETF investment leverages in anticipated additional investment from other sources.
The Energy Transition fund is primarily an enabling fund to support a just transition away from oil and gas to renewable energy. It supports four key projects that seek to create the conditions to attract inward investment, providing high quality green jobs for the North East. Whilst focused on infrastructure and enabling works, the Energy Transition Fund has also directly created around 30 roles in delivering the projects funded.
Elements of the Energy Transition Fund projects include a focus on skills development and training to ensure that workers and companies in the North East have the first adopter opportunities that will result from an effectively managed move towards renewable energy.