How big is the UK Green Economy?
- arryawke
- Feb 4, 2015
- 1 min read
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced that it is measuring the UKs ‘green economy’.
The survey will help the ONS understand how many businesses are involved in producing low carbon and renewable energy products and services, and how it contributes to the economy.
The ONS realised that its traditional methods did not pick up every part of the UKs economy. Its ‘Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economic Survey’ will help it to uncover the value of the green economy, which will help with investment and development.
“The use of green energy is rising and is now around six times higher than it was two decades ago. ONS’s mission is to create the most comprehensive picture of the UK economy, so it’s important to measure the impact this growing sector is having,” said Glenn Everett, Director of the Measuring National Well-being programme.
In 2012, the UK consumed 9.6 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of renewable and waste sources, which was 4.5% of the country’s total energy use.
"This new survey will provide much-needed, robust evidence on the strength, size and dynamics of Britain’s low-carbon and renewable energy sectors. It will provide crucial insight into understanding how the UK economy is responding to the challenges of developing new, low-carbon and renewable energy industries," said Will McDowall, from University College London's Energy Institute.
The ONS sent out surveys to 40,000 UK businesses involved in manufacturing, construction, waste energy collection and energy production. Results will come out at the end of 2015.
