A new study of Greater Manchester’s green technologies and services sector has found the sector, which generated £8.6bn in sales in 2019-20, represents 14.5% of the business base and 3.2% of Greater Manchester’s employment.
Green Economy, a membership organisation connecting buyers to suppliers of green products and services launched its second sector mapping study on the city-region at the GM Green Summit on 17 October 2022. The study, commissioned by Green Economy was delivered by Ove Arup in association with KMatrix, found that Greater Manchester’s green technologies and services sector is larger than the local advanced manufacturing, digital, creative and science and research and development sectors combined.
Amy House, Director of Green Economy said: “This report found that Greater Manchester’s green technologies and services sector is punching above its weight, and is home to the UKs third biggest green economy, behind London and the South East, with 4% of local sales coming from the sector.
“Internationally, Greater Manchester outperformed Milan, Copenhagen, Seattle, Berlin, Rome and Stockholm when comparing sales value in proportion to GDP and it contributed 46% of the North West’s sector exports.”
The report highlighted many strengths across the local supply chain but identified that Greater Manchester had experienced a slightly slower growth rate (7.1%) than the UK (7.4%). And within the same period globally the sector grew by 14%. Amy House said:
“Our report identified a positive story about the sector; however, we can see that we’ll need to invest further if we’re to ensure Greater Manchester seizes the opportunities that are presented by the net zero transition, particularly across renewable energy generation and storage. Green Economy is playing a vital role here, working with the businesses at the heart of the net zero transition to help them increase their competitiveness by diversifying, upskilling their workforces and connecting them to new market opportunities.”
Green Economy works with the sector in Greater Manchester through the GC Business Growth Hub, which provides funded support to small and medium enterprises in the region. Janine Smith, Director of the Hub said:
“We’re incredibly proud at the GC Business Growth Hub to provide a full circle approach to carbon reduction, with our Sustainability and Net Zero team implementing resource efficiency measures on the journey to net zero, and with Green Economy growing the local network of suppliers that will deliver this transition. I urge any installers, suppliers and providers of green products and services to get in touch and speak to Green Economy today.”
Greater Manchester’s green economy – sector mapping study is available to download from Green Economy.
