Climate groups are urging the UK government to allocate £1.9 billion annually to support offshore oil and gas workers and their communities as they transition to renewable energy. Backed by major trade unions, 65 organisations have penned a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, requesting dedicated funding until 2030 to facilitate the shift towards clean energy jobs. Their proposal entails the implementation of a UK-wide industrial strategy, focusing on public investment in domestic renewables manufacturing, skill development, and expanding publicly-owned energy production.
Leading environmental organisations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Extinction Rebellion, and others are advocating for the allocation of £1.1 billion per year to create sustainable jobs in public and community-owned wind manufacturing. Additionally, they are calling for an extra £440 million annually to upgrade ports, easing supply chain bottlenecks for green energy projects, with the government potentially taking equity stakes in critical national infrastructure ports. Moreover, the proposal includes £355 million annually to establish a dedicated training fund for offshore oil and gas workers, to facilitate their transition through retraining.
Notably, the letter has garnered support from Unite, the largest union representing offshore oil and gas workers, along with other prominent unions like the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) and the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC). The push for this funding comes as the government aims to position the UK as a clean energy superpower by 2030, with initiatives like setting up a publicly-owned clean energy company and halting new oil and gas licensing.
Concerns have been raised regarding job losses in traditional fossil fuel industries and the need to support workers in transitioning to new roles in the clean energy sector. The organisations behind the letter criticise past approaches that prioritised shareholder profits over job creation and affordable energy, leading to closures in sectors like oil refineries and steelworks without adequate transition plans for workers.
The letter was presented to the Treasury during a rally, emphasising the importance of prioritising worker justice and ensuring a fair transition for those currently employed in polluting industries. Greenpeace campaigner Mel Evans underscored the need for an industrial strategy that values worker contributions and supports them in securing green jobs. Unite the Union’s Joe Rollin echoed these sentiments, stressing the necessity of sustainable job creation for North Sea workers facing an uncertain future.
With the autumn Budget looming, the call for substantial funding to aid the transition to clean energy industries has ignited discussions about the government’s role in safeguarding workers and communities during this pivotal shift. As the UK pushes towards its clean energy targets, the proposed funding could play a crucial role in ensuring a just and equitable transition for all workers affected by the changing energy landscape.