UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) today told 170 small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) how they could exploit the fastest-growing low carbon markets in the world as it produced figures showing that the low carbon sector is already worth some £112 billion and employs 900,000 people in the UK.
The
UKTI figures, compiled by consultants Innovas, show that the UK
low carbon sector grew by 4.3 per cent in 2009, despite the recession.
The fastest growing areas were
carbon finance and
wind power generation, which showed 7.9 per cent and 6.5 per cent growth, respectively.
However, UKTI was particularly keen to emphasise the almost six per cent growth achieved by the solar power sector, because around a quarter of this was attributable to exports.
In all, exports by the solar power sector were worth around £1 billion last year.
Speaking at the UKTI event in London this afternoon, Minister for Business Innovation and Skills Pat McFadden said: "This is a rallying cry for UK business to seek out international opportunities. When you think low carbon, think global. These latest figures show the global low carbon market is growing at around five per cent per year.”
UK sixth largest low carbon economy in the worldHe said that the UK is the sixth largest low carbon economy in the world, with strengths in every sector from
sustainable design to alternative fuel sources and carbon management.
One SME that has achieved considerable success in the export market with the help of UKIT is renewable energy company Dulas. The Welsh company with 60 employees has supplied a number of innovative low carbon products to developing countries.
For example, its solar-powered vaccine fridges have been sold in countries including Peru, Laos, Eritrea, Angola, Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria, and its solar-powered street lighting, generators, water pumps, and even DVD players have been sold all over Africa.
“We want to see many more UK companies, across all sectors, embracing the exciting export opportunities that exist internationally,” said McFadden. ”Particularly in the fastest-growing global low carbon markets of China, India, Brazil and the US."
Government launches review of low carbon business opportunitiesTo help the UK’s low carbon
businesses achieve greater success in the global exports market, the Government has announced today that it is to conduct a comprehensive global review of low carbon business opportunities.
The joint review by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, Department of Energy and Climate Change and UKTI is designed to match the UK's strengths and competitive advantages, both present and future, to emerging opportunities in overseas markets.
Related news:Green marketing & sales newsCarbon trading newsRenewables newsRelated links:www.uktradeinvest.gov.ukwww.dulas.org.uk