The Green Edge Reports Roundup, Nov-23: Part Two - Sectors
Continuing with our selection of reports and other publications from this month’s reading list.
Part Two of our crop of green reports from this months reading list. Also see Part One - General.
As usual, you can find all these reports and more in our searchable reports list on The Green Edge Data Portal.
Energy
Batteries
UK Battery Strategy
UK Government, Department for Business and Trade, November 2023.
Brings together what is already widely known and has been said before, along with a rapid update to accommodate the Nissan EV investment announcement. A few commitments to funding are made. But on skills there is no reference to ALBATTS which is a little surprising as that lays down the roles and associated skills across the battery supply chain and into which UK businesses have contributed. We suggest you read this strategy document alongside the recent (September 2023) report by the Green Alliance, Powering up the UK Battery Industry in order to provide balance.
Batteries for EV Manufacturing
House of Commons Business and Trade Committee, HC 196, November 2023.
Coming ahead of the publications of the Advanced Manufacturing Plan and the UK Battery Strategy, this report covers more than just the battery supply for EVs. The core message for us is the critical timing for EV production in the UK resting on the securing of major battery manufacturing capacity - without that we have to question the future of EV production in the UK. On the skills front the Committee calls upon the UK Government to state in its forthcoming plan and strategy the scale of the skills challenge and the investment required at local level to develop the required skills. A key development here is also the changing technology of batteries, the cost of batteries (which continues to fall – by up to 40% over the next few years), and the range achieved by the emerging technologies (e.g. solid state batteries could raise the range for the average UK vehicle to 1000+ kms.).
Powering Progress: Batteries for Discoms. A Market Action Report on Accelerating Battery Energy Storage in India
RMI, November 2023
Energy distribution and storage is becoming more and more complex, and this report highlights that. One thought: what are the opportunities for UK businesses in the Indian power and infrastructure market place?
Carbon Capture and Storage
Controversies of carbon dioxide removal
Nature Review Earth and Environment, November 2023.
Covers the full range of carbon capture systems (BECCS – bioenergy; DACCS – direct air; and the more usual CCUS – found at power plants amongst other major points of emission) and discusses the issues and likelihood of success in making a real contribution prior to 2050.
Energy Efficiency
Make Energy Efficiency Visible in the Energy Mix
Institute for European Energy Climate Policy, November 2023.
A powerful set of charts to get the message across about the importance and scale of energy efficiency in reducing overall energy consumption. We have not seen anyone else bring together the available data and present it in this way. For us the whole push to replace and substitute energy sources (e.g. for heating) and being able to make efficient use of new energy sources is equally important, and needs to be a key part of all energy-based education and training programmes.
Energy Efficiency 2.0: Engineering the future energy system
Danfoss Impact Issue No 4, November 2023.
Energy efficiency is not just about making the best use of energy and its conversion for end use, but is also about capturing other’s energy “waste” and making effective use of energy in space and time through dynamic systems. This also includes making balanced decisions as to which technologies to use to build the future energy system. We found this document a really useful up-to-date summary with case studies. Dropping this view of the future into skills would be very helpful - perhaps Danfoss will encourage this to happen.
Hydrogen
The Role and Value of Hydrogen in Future Zero-Carbon Great Britain’s Energy System
Imperial College London, October 2023.
A holistic evaluation of hydrogen across the whole Great Britain energy system. This area is attracting significant interest but there are major areas of doubt as regards application (e.g. domestic heating). Should probably be viewed as a contribution to the viewing of options and their likely outcomes rather than a conclusive piece of work.
Enabling the UK to become the Saudi Arabia of Wind? The cost of green hydrogen from offshore wind
Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London, September 2023.
To fully capitalise on offshore wind there needs to be a way of capture and store excess wind energy in some way, and hydrogen offers one solution. This paper traces the hydrogen solution and the clear spatial implications.
Electricity Grid
Hitting the ground running: how labour can prepare the grid for decarbonisation by 2030
Public First for Renewable UK, October 2023.
Highlights the need for skills, not just for construction and CCUS but also for the planning capacity in local authorities. In fact, the recommendation is for the RTPI to explore ways to reduce the time it takes to become qualified as a planner. We have to wonder how many education and training times will be reduced as we get closer and closer to key deadlines in the transition to net zero.
Renewables
Renewable Energy for Remote Communities: A guidebook for off-grid projects
IRENA, November 2023.
A timely reminder that many communities are off both the gas and electricity grids. Provides some insight into the process and the economic activities generated once communities and their businesses have access to electricity. The integrated energy awards from Ashden recognises the importance of these types of projects across Africa and this report captures the delivery a successful project. Apart from the social and economic benefits of having access to electricity, it also presents an opportunity for exporting kits along with the technical advice and support.
Utilities 2.0: integrated energy for optimal impact
Power for All, May 2019.
We are always looking for pioneering solutions where there are few legacy systems in place and funding is minimal. Here we have a scheme being developed in Uganda where with the transition to zero carbon many people would have access to heat and light denied, and a solution has to be found and make use of the small-scale, local technologies which when integrated offer real solutions. Our interest is also caught by the robustness and reliability of the technologies being used. There must be both application and skills lessons to be learnt here.
Heat and Retrofit
Make clean heat accessible to all: Options for lowering heat pump running costs
E3G, October 2023.
One simple message here: get the levies balanced between electricity and gas, and this is important ahead of the widespread installation of heat pumps (yes, this will eventually happen).
Delivering Net Zero for Scotland’s Buildings. Changing the way we heat our homes and buildings
Scottish Government, November 2023.
A consultation which focuses on a critical part of the transition: making all buildings net zero over the coming 15-20 years. It identifies some key issues (finance) to be tackled and also notes the employment generation aspects too: 12,500 direct jobs, and 16,400 indirect (support). England could learn a lot from the style of this consultation.
Green Heat Finance Taskforce. Report: Part 1
Scottish Government, November 2023.
A thorough discussion of how best to finance the move to zero direct emissions heating (ZDEH) looking at secured loans, demand aggregation finance, and pay as you save. Cracking this problem can unlock demand for heat pumps (and other forms of retrofitting) and will be very powerful when allied to mandates on the end to gas boiler installation, new buildings standards, etc. The make-up of this taskforce also gives us the feeling of the talent being deployed to develop a truly workable, long term solution too.
Heat Pumps
Blowing hot and cold: reflecting the potential value of air-to-air heat pumps in UK energy policy
Regulatory Assistance Project, November 2023.
A timely report which covers air-to-air heat pumps and looks at them versus air-to-water ones. The cooling benefits covered here are also timely as many buildings will require total heat management, which includes cooling as well.
Coming in from the cold: heat pump efficiency at low temperatures
Joule, August 2023.
The simple answer is yes, heat pumps can and do work effectively at low temperatures like -10 °C. Evidence is provided here from various Northern European countries. A useful set of charts for anyone seeking to present the case for heat pumps.
Olympic mindset: making France a heat pump leader
Regulatory Assistance Project, November 2023.
Some simple messages coming from the huge progress being made in France in its installation of heat pumps: make the grant system simple, provide clear and trusted advice and guidance, and focus on a core technology solution. And note, skills not found to be a major barrier to growing the installation rate.
Retrofit
South-West Net Zero Hub Retrofit Skills Report
Gemserv for South-West Net Zero Hub, April 2023.
A real treasure trove of detailed information and analysis on retrofit which is of value to all other parts of the UK. Finds a mismatch in supply-demand for critical skills and also the education and training provision is also not equipped to meet the emerging demand. This picture is told in one image (Figure 1) which looks across the nine core retrofit roles. Well worth reading and delving into the appendices.
Domestic Retrofit: Market Intelligence and Skills Assessment
Greater South East Net Zero Hub and Energy Systems Catapult, November 2022.
A brief and informative report on retrofitting skills along with some of the barriers to progress e.g. curriculum content. It also estimates the number of people involved in retrofitting across the South East will run at 100,000 per year on average, and peak at 200,000 when the work bulges.
Green Skills for Retrofit Jobs
North Tyneside Council, April 2022.
Gives a real flavour of what is happening at local level and the putting together practical plans to deliver retrofitting using Skills for Growth Funds (£2mn) using the core retrofit roles as specified by the Retrofit Academy. And, for those who want to dig further into retrofitting, there is an A4 length list of links into key source materials.
Lenders’ Handbook on Green Home Retrofit and Technologies
Green Finance Institute, May 2022.
Green finance and green mortgages are a critical part of the transition to net zero and we have 60 products from 38 lenders on offer. But their impacts are low, and the general view is that there is a need for better policies and better products to raise the rate of energy efficiency. This handbook is an excellent review of the technologies on offer and what they can do. For those looking for a series of well scripted technology descriptions and explanations.
Mapping Participation for Democratic Innovations: An experiment in evaluating a citizens’ panel on home energy decarbonisation
UKERC Public Engagement Observatory, November 2023.
Public engagement and behaviour change are central to supporting each of us to make critical decisions around our home heating and our lifestyles, and so finding more effective ways to engage with the public are important. This report covers this territory well with an experiment. On the skills front, the whole public engagement, behaviour change and wider communications are critical skills for the smooth transition to net zero.
Getting Gen-Z into retrofit and renewables jobs: the appetite is there, but not the awareness
MCS Charitable Foundation, November 2023.
Findings are similar in this survey with the one conducted by Skills Development Scotland. Interesting are the “target” careers and sectors across healthcare, business and accountancy in the search for enjoyable work, good pay and stability. Says there is a lot to do to shift increasing numbers of young people towards careers that will directly support and deliver the transition to net zero.
Agriculture and Forestry
Policy Priorities for Rural Digitalisation
EU Cap Network, October 2023.
Highlights three clear priorities: skills matching allied to education and training; digital entrepreneurship; and infrastructure. The whole development of net zero policies for rural areas and agriculture is dependent on digital (like much of the net zero transition) and the links in this policy brief make this clear. We get the impression that state intervention will be necessary to ensure skills development in rural areas as there are few market drivers to make progress here.
Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector
House of Lords, HL Paper 268, November 2023.
Horticulture is a £5bn industry employing 50,000 people producing fruit, vegetable and ornamental plants, and skills are a major issue. This report tackles skills in Chapter 3: A chronic shortage of workers at all skills levels with skilled jobs also being a focus. Horticulture, like the wider agriculture industry, is a key part of the supply of food and is adapting to a changing climate. Again, like many other sectors horticulture is chasing new entrants from many different starting points, and it sees T Levels and apprenticeships being key parts. A clear workforce plan is needed for horticulture and part of this might emerge from the forthcoming Net Zero Workforce Plan.
Future of Horticulture
Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology, POST Note 707, October 2023.
Alongside the House of Lords report above, this POST note is a good rapid read on the changing nature of the horticultural industry and the drivers of those changes. Focuses less on skills, though.
Net Zero Carbon Report 2022
Duchy of Cornwall, 2023.
Provides a detailed insight into the path taken towards achieving net zero carbon for a major estate of nearly 52,500 hectares (shows a timeline from 2006-2033). The question which this report raised in our minds was the range of skills required to deliver on the net zero and wider targets. It is best read alongside the Integrated Annual Report 2023.
As assessment of the financial resources needed for environmental land management in the UK
Report for RSPB, National Trust, and The Wildlife Trusts, June 2023.
A thing that struck us in reading this report was the scale of the land and the financial costs of making the shift, and what this means for skills and jobs. Perhaps a follow-up report can take on skills and employment implications of the land-use shifts.
Thematic Group on Nurturing Skills for a Thinking and Sustainable Agricultural Sector
EU CAP Network, October 2023.
A useful piece of work which looks not just at skills but also into the challenges being faced by the sector to attract talented, largely technically skilled people into the sector as it changes.
Multifunctional Landscape. Informing a long-term vision for managing the UK’s land
The Royal Society, January 2023.
Makes significant comment on skills (one of the key recommendations and Chapter 3) to devise scenarios, develop plans, drive innovation and productivity. A key set of skills and capabilities identified are the abilities to apply a systems approach. Also identifies skills to provide advice and guidance.
The UK Forest Market Report 2023
Goldcrest and Tilhill, November 2023.
Provides a useful status report on UK forestry and its progress and development. It would be good to link this to the related workforce developments across the sector.
Nature Strategy Handbook: A practical guide for business
Business for Nature, November 2023.
Provides a four-stage guide and set of questions for corporates to probe their activities and to build in nature. One of many handbooks available, always useful in developing thinking leading to action around a key topic, and raising questions of skills capability and capacity when going through the process.
Circular Economy
The Future of Work: Baseline Employment Analysis and Skills Pathways for the Circular Economy in Scotland
Zero Waste Scotland and Circle Economy, February 2023.
A helpful report and analysis on the often-forgotten sector which has a key role to play in achieving net zero and net zero waste. Three areas struck us: the size of the circular economy at over 207,000 across enabling, core and indirect jobs; three excellent charts for construction (page 36), capital goods (page 48), and the bioeconomy (page 60); and, the use of the DISRUPT framework to classify and chart the key sectors and the opportunities that lie within them (page 76). The DISRUPT Framework is well worth a view - at Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels we get into activities and near competency statements, which takes us to into the ESCO library of green competences.
Courtauld Commitment 2030: Milestone Reporting Years 2018-2021 and Annual Report 2022-2023
WRAP, 2023.
A useful status report across key areas for waste reduction and a general move to the circular economy. Skills are highlighted as being a barrier to further growth.
Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Battery Life Cycle Management
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, February 2023.
A new industry is born, and this report covers the technical aspects of recycling and reuse, the regulations, initiatives and stakeholder perspectives. Highlighted is the role of design in impacting both recycling and reuse. In the UK we have some time before the first wave of EV batteries becomes available for reuse and recycling but it will need clear ownership and management. Note the producers of new EV lithium-ion batteries have a major interest in the recycling phase the recovery of key raw materials.
Recent advances in Extended Producer Responsibility Initiatives for plastic waste management in Germany and UK
Materials Circular Economy, May 2023.
Two figures caught our eye in this article. Fig 4 covers the tonnage of packaging plastic split by type of plastics, tonnage and levels collected from consumers. This figure just shows the potential to create a major source of plastic materials to be re-used. And Fig 6 lays out the time for EPR and DRS in the UK which has specific and profound implications for producers, consumers, local authorities, and resource management companies In all four areas, we see an implication for skills and behaviours.
Recycled Plastics in Infrastructure: Current Practices, Understanding, and Opportunities
National Academies Press, 2023.
In the USA only 10% of plastics are recycled, with the bulk going to landfill or, worse, ends up as litter on land, rivers and oceans. Here another option is presented in great detail, and it raises another set of skills required in construction and the resources and recycling industry.
A Circular Economy. What is it, and how can it be used in your business?
Social Change UK, 2022.
Readable and with excellent graphics deriving content in part from the Ellen Macarthur Foundation. Here is a document that can be shared with anyone, making them wiser after a single reading. We list this report because of the challenge ahead in engaging everyone in changing how they view resources (not waste) and how they can be part of a circular economy.
Redefining Packaging for a Changing World: Sustainability Report 2022
DS Smith, 2022 and 2023.
Always interesting to see what major packaging businesses are saying and doing around sustainability, and the DS Smith Sustainability Report in 2022 covered the circular economy, circular design and a detailed coverage of the people component for the transition to net zero. Well worth a look as it provides an insight into a manufacturing business that has grown deeply into the circular economy as a source of materials input. While SMEs are very important to the transition to net zero, major corporates like DS Smith can drive very significant changes through their scale and reach.
Closing the loop: our journey to a circular economy, and Renewing Earth. An Introduction to Renewi plc.
Renewi plc, 2022 and 2023.
Provides a fascinating insight into how the traditional waste collection and disposal industry has changed into being at least a recycling sector and one that produces secondary materials. Renewi is one of the top 10 resources and recycling businesses in the UK.
Construction
The Skills Construction Needs: UK Five Year Outlook, 2023-2027
CITB and Experian, January 2023.
A useful detailed report that covers the overall growth in the numbers required to staff the industry (45,000), the importance of key Government schemes (Social Housing Decarbonisation Scheme at £3.8bn and the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme at £2.5bn). The part we found most useful was a list of 29 occupations with likely growth rates, grouped into non-manual, manual and profession occupations. We would like to see the projections contained in this report related back to what we see in the various LSIPs and similar skills planning documents.
Transport
Maritime
The role of hydrogen as enabler of industrial port area decarbonisation
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 189 (2024) 113912
Covers 74 projects across 36 industrial port areas mostly in Europe, and lists out the potential technologies (Table 1) that can enable the decarbonisation of industrial ports and the surrounding areas. We have explored this before (at Portsmouth International Port) and the whole transition to net zero is a significant opportunity to rethink how ports operate and serve the local community, and create a series of new and additional net zero transition roles.
EVs
Powering up: Boosting the access to electric vehicles
EVA England, November 2023.
A useful set of policy ideas to boost the level of EV uptake, and points to the growing and increasingly important second hand EV car market.
Pot pourri
Mission Zero: The independent net zero review
Chris Skidmore, Biteback Publishing, November 2023.
We entered the year with the Skidmore Review being published as a HMG document, and now we have it as a book which we hope brings his work to a wider audience. The missions set out in the report are systematically working through the key issues around place-based net zero delivery, local area energy plans, retrofit, etc. Well worth picking up as it will be a guiding work over the coming years.
Sustainable Trade Index 2023. Advancing trade sustainability in a fragmenting world
Hinrich Foundation and IMD World Competitiveness Center, 2023.
A fascinating ranking study using a three pillar analysis: economy, societal, and environmental. Remember this analysis is looking at trade, and the Top 10 are New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Japan, USA, and Taiwan. As this study is now into its 5th edition there are some trends to be examined. It would be good going forward if the exact measures could be refined, and from a UK perspective, split out the data into the nations of the UK.
Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark 2.0 2023 Results
Climate Action 100+, October 2023.
Much like the CDP project, we find this corporate report useful to show the depth and range of engagement and action of corporations. We should be able to link the actions and direction of travel of these corporations to the uptake of green skills, green education and training, etc. and it would be good to see how this could be done using Lightcast, Data City and LinkedIn sources of data.
Lessons from the Past – Towards a better future. A brief history of the United Nations Climate Change Conferences: COPs 1-27.
RCBG Associate Working Paper No 219, October 2023.
As the whole UN process of the COPs sets the agenda and the expectations for the transition to net zero, this report is a useful backdrop and context for the UK. Simple message: we need to change the process if we are to make more rapid, lasting progress.
UK businesses overwhelmingly back carbon border tax
Stack Data Strategy and E3G, November 2023.
This brief report brings together two surveys of 400 businesses and 1500+ adult citizens. The results show clear support for a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). From our perspective, CBAM brings a challenge for businesses, a new set of tasks, and also a potential threat to employment if not managed well (and well in a strategic sense).