At least 1,500 private sector jobs have been safeguarded in Wales thanks to Welsh Government support and investment for energy efficiency, with an additional 30 roles being created. These figures were revealed today by the Carbon Trust, following a survey of the businesses that have directly received support from the organisation over the past year.
Research undertaken by the Carbon Trust’s Wales office, which is funded by the Welsh Government to support businesses and the public sector with energy efficiency, shows that investment of just £2.5 million has led to the implementation of energy efficiency measures with over £116 million of lifetime financial savings for Welsh organisations in the past year.
This takes the tally of financial savings achieved thanks to work delivered by the Carbon Trust in Wales to over £719 million, at the same time as helping to cut 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
The greatest benefits have been delivered in the industrial heartland of South Wales, where there are a number businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, aviation and bio-technology. The most significant impacts were had in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot, with a combined £250 million of financial benefits achieved across the two counties.
The organisations supported include some of the largest private sector employers in Wales, Tata Steel, GE Aviation Wales and Celtic Manor Resort, the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup and Princes Gate.
Working with Carbon Trust Wales has given us the support we needed to make big savings. The team helped us to identify where improvements could be made and gave us some excellent advice in moving things forward. In addition to safeguarding jobs, the savings we made allowed us to create five new roles for local people. We’re really proud of our green credentials; we’re in no way environmental activists, but we recognise the need for sustainable manufacturing to ensure future economic viability and to secure our position in the market.
- Endaf Edwards, Operations Director at Princes Gate
We know that supporting energy efficiency is one of the best ways to provide a boost to the Welsh economy and make it a more attractive place to do business. Continuing investment by the Welsh Government into energy efficiency and cutting carbon has delivered a number of lasting benefits, with a value and an impact that far outstrips the cost. Over the years we have worked with hundreds of businesses in Wales, helping them to become more competitive, both nationally and internationally, whilst creating new employment opportunities and securing highly skilled jobs.
- Mike Batt, General Manager, Carbon Trust, Wales
ENDS
For further information please contact the Carbon Trust press office on 020 7170 7050 or email press@carbontrust.com.
About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is an independent company with a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. The Carbon Trust:
- advises businesses, governments and the public sector on opportunities in a sustainable, low-carbon world;
- measures and certifies the environmental footprint of organisations, products and services;
- helps develop and deploy low-carbon technologies and solutions, from energy efficiency to renewable power
Notes to Editor
A survey was conducted of 190 businesses that received support from the Carbon Trust’s Wales office in the 12 month period from April 2013, receiving 33 responses. Of those respondents, 23 stated that jobs had been safeguarded.
