IPPR report finds UK gas sector workers could transfer to greener jobs

The report stated that workers from various branches of the gas industry, such as oil and gas production, gas power stations, gas networks and boilermaking, will need to transition into new jobs as the UK moves to net zero.

According to IPPR’s analysis, this transition could result in minimal career disruptions, but only with the right support from the government.

The report considered ‘green occupations,’ those specific to green industries, and ‘blue occupations,’ climate-compatible occupations that are not specific to green industries but do not entail high carbon emissions.

The IPPR found that 93 per cent of the approximate 115,000 people working in these gas sectors share more than 50 per cent of their existing work tasks - such as inspecting and repairing equipment - with green or blue occupations.

Additionally, it reported that if gas sector workers were only moving into green jobs such as solar PV installation, (non-gas) energy plant managers and environmental scientists, many would likely need more significant retraining and other support.