Research on UK manufacturing opportunities of moving to a low-carbon economy

Aims and Objectives

The project has three main aims:

1. Assess current size and importance of the UK low-carbon economy. The contractor will be asked to produce and description of the low-carbon economy in the UK today, the size and composition of the low-carbon market in the UK and internationally, and the share of these markets taken by UK suppliers. The contractor should recommend a set of indicators of UK performance that the CCC can update and monitor in the future.

2. Assess what new materials, goods and services will be needed in transitioning to a low-carbon global economy and where the UK is best placed to supply these new markets. Create a narrative of what will need to be produced for a low-carbon economy. This could be based on specific examples from CCC climate change mitigating and adaptation scenarios. Based on existing research and engagement with leading experts, assess where the UK has a comparative advantage in producing the materials/goods/services needed for the world transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

3. Assess nature and scale of barriers for UK firms to develop in these new markets and where government policy could play a role. Based on existing research and leading experts, set out specific barriers faced by UK firms in supplying the low-carbon economy and any high level conclusions on the role of government to help overcome these barriers.