Yesterday, Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission hosted a successful Green Jobs and Skills Summit in collaboration with Aura Innovation and Marketing Humber. It was a hybrid event with in person and online attendance. Mayor for West Yorkshire Tracey Brabin welcomed attendees in her opening talk and highlighted the opportunities for green jobs and skills in Yorkshire & Humber. In her own words, "Yorkshire & Humber was at the heart of the industrial revolution...now we have a chance to be the heart of the green industrial revolution". 

Vice-Chair of the Commission and Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, also addressed the conference and expressed his hopes for green jobs and skills in getting the region to Net Zero. Following the opening speeches, attendees heard from a range of brilliant speakers covering topics from offshore wind, sustainable transport and stakeholder engagement.

Jenny Patient, from TUC, highlighted the higher levels of concern in Yorkshire & Humber on climate change compared to the UK average. She emphasised the need to act now and upskill the current workforce as well as thinking about the future workforce. The importance of achieving investment into decarbonising carbon-intensive industry alongside decarbonising transport and energy networks were also key points. Similarly, Peter Cole from Transport for the North discussed the need for greater connectivity in Yorkshire & Humber in order for the region to fulfil its green ambitions.

John Weir, from Aura, and Lauren Little, from Ørsted, noted the incredible growth of offshore wind in the Humber and the possibilities this holds for the future for Net Zero and green jobs. They both referenced the need to diversify the workforce in offshore wind and work with government and stakeholders to achieve both further offshore development and a skilled workforce. 

Following the presentations, attendees went into break out rooms to consider different themes, with key discussion points fed back during the plenary session. A panel consisting of Sarah Clark, Martyn Broadest, Peter Cole, Sajalu Dahal, Adam Bedford and Glenn Jensen discussed challenges and opportunities for green skills and jobs in the region. Feedback from attendees and speakers will be incorporated into the Commission’s work to promote a just transition across Yorkshire and the Humber. Director Andy Gouldson closed the summit giving thanks to all the speakers and to Aura Innovation and Marketing Humber.