Sunak’s climate shift is out of touch with the demands of the UK’s workforce – here’s why

Categories: Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change

Thursday 9 November 2023

Professor Vera Trappman and Dr Jo Cutter

Professor Vera Trappman is the Professor of Comparative Employment Relations and her research engages with the comparison of labour relations across Europe. Dr Jo Cutter is a Lecturer in Work and Employment Relations and her research focuses on employment relations, social dialogue and the regulation of work with a core focus on skills formation and training.

Two workers in hardhats viewed through a tunnel

This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to introduce a bill aimed at granting new oil and gas drilling licences in the North Sea. The proposal was outlined in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-kings-speech-2023">2023 king’s speech</a> to parliament, where he set out the government’s priorities ahead of the next general election.

This development comes less than two months after Sunak made a series of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/23/observer-view-rishi-sunaks-cynical-backtracking-on-climate-will-be-to-no-electoral-avail">controversial</a> announcements setting out the government’s revised strategy for achieving net zero emissions – a move that many argue has diluted its commitment to the UK’s climate objectives.

Sunak has <a href="https://x.com/10DowningStreet/status/1721524335926517937?s=20">justified</a> his watered-down climate policy by saying it will protect British jobs in the oil and gas industry and make the UK more energy independent. However, the reaction from experts, the public and businesses suggests that this is a retrograde step.

The Climate Change Committee – the government’s independent advisors – had <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2023-progress-report-to-parliament/">previously stated</a> that the government was not doing enough to tackle climate change and would <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-uk-will-miss-climate-goals-by-huge-margin-without-new-policies/">fall short</a> of its climate targets. The government’s recent announcements will only <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/2023/10/12/ccc-assessment-of-recent-announcements-and-developments-on-net-zero/">further constrain</a> UK prospects for achieving those climate goals.

<a href="https://twitter.com/nathansbennett/status/1721512464422961392?s=46">Recent polling</a> also suggests that swing voters now view the Conservatives less favourably because of their focus on oil and gas. But what about the wider working public? Our <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/315/uk-workers-and-the-low-carbon-transition">own research</a>, published in August 2023, suggests that many workers in the UK see the government’s backtrack on climate policy as a huge disappointment too.

<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking on Downing Street." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558603/original/file-20231109-25-gfnz6x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
The UK government’s focus on fossil fuels risks alienating the workforce.
<a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/london-downing-street-uk-25th-october-2253948447">Sean Aidan Calderbank/Shutterstock</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>Taking leadership</h2>

We surveyed 2,001 UK workers across all sectors and age groups to gauge their “readiness” for working in a decarbonised economy and to understand their expectations regarding a fair and just transition.

Our findings are unambiguous: nearly eight out of ten UK workers expressed that they were either very or fairly concerned about climate change. Every second UK worker believes that the UK is already witnessing the effects of climate change and urgently requires climate action.

At the time of the survey, carried out in April 2022, workers maintained a sense of hope that the climate crisis could be addressed. But they emphasised the need for action.

Most workers expect the government to show leadership and act, with 63% identifying the government as having the greatest responsibility for addressing climate change. Slightly less than half (46%) of workers ranked businesses highly too.

Many workers are active on environmental and climate issues. For example, 59% stated that they are trying to reduce their carbon footprint at home. However, very few believe that the primary responsibility for climate action lies with individuals.

The workers we surveyed urged the government to finance the projects that are necessary to decarbonise the economy, as this chart shows:

<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A graph showing workers' support for green policy ideas." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=353&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=353&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=353&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=443&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=443&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558419/original/file-20231108-17-1gyyzy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=443&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
Workers want the government to finance the projects that are necessary to decarbonise the economy.
Cutter et al. (2023), <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">CC BY-NC-SA</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>

Workers have high expectations for the positive changes that will result from investments in the green economy. Seven in ten workers expect cleaner air and enhanced soil and water quality. Six in ten workers feel that increased health and wellbeing would accompany this transition.

They did, however, also express concerns over potential increases in the cost of living, the possibility for heightened inequalities, or a reduction in living standards.

<h2>Finding green jobs</h2>

More than one-third (42%) of the workers we surveyed said they were interested in working in the green economy. Most of these workers said they would consider switching to a green job because they find the prospect of working in the green economy both interesting and meaningful. A significant number (40%) are strongly motivated by the opportunity to contribute to reducing the harmful effects of climate change.

Workers exhibit the greatest interest in working in sectors such as environmental protection or restoration, renewable energy, recycling and the waste industry. Encouragingly, workers in higher carbon-emitting sectors display higher confidence that their skills are suited for employment in the green economy.

However, a range of obstacles are causing workers to hesitate over making the switch. The prospect of lower pay, the time needed to retrain, and the cost of retraining are all seen as significant barriers for workers considering a move into green jobs.

<a href="https://neweconomics.org/2023/02/skills-for-a-new-economy">Research</a> by the <a href="https://neweconomics.org/">New Economics Foundation</a> – a British thinktank that promotes social, economic and environmental justice – suggests the average worker is currently qualified at a level below that needed to access many green jobs. The foundation estimates that workers need between six and 18 months of additional training, on average, to access green jobs.

Our findings reveal that workers expect the government to show leadership and offer policies that will help them make the switch, with a particular emphasis on the creation of jobs in their current location or region:

<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A chart showing workers responses to questions about just transition to a greener economy." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=302&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=302&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=302&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=380&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=380&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/558421/original/file-20231108-25-ue1fnp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=380&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
Workers are keen to switch to jobs in the green economy, but there are several obstacles.
Cutter et al. (2023), <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">CC BY-NC-SA</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>

Many workers are willing to retrain and switch to doing a green job. Some say they already possess a good skills base for employment in the green economy, and are willing to spend more time on training.

Nonetheless, the prime minister’s U-turn on climate policy indicates that workers’ aspirations for a just transition to a greener economy are not being met. The government should not let down these workers but rather capitalise on the enthusiasm of a workforce eager to be part of delivering net zero. The UK needs a government that is responsive to workers.

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<hr>

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vera-trappmann-409835">Vera Trappmann</a>, Professor in Comparative Employment Relations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-leeds-1122">University of Leeds</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jo-cutter-1485742">Jo Cutter</a>, Lecturer in Work and Employment Relations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-leeds-1122">University of Leeds</a>

This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunaks-climate-shift-is-out-of-touch-with-the-demands-of-the-uks-workforce-heres-why-217136">original article</a>.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of Leeds University Business School or the University of Leeds.