Northern business leaders call for the region to lead in net-zero transition

Business leaders representing the NP11 group of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across Northern England have set out their ambition for the region to lead the UK’s net-zero transition in an open letter to government.

Following the publication of the Government’s Energy Strategy, 15 leading businesses, the 11 LEPs across the North, and the CBI have joined forces to ask the government to back the huge economic opportunity the North’s clean growth industries offer the country.

The region generates 50% of England’s renewable energy and is decarbonising 13% faster than the country as a whole, with business leaders calling for government support that will enable Northern England to go further in unlocking the economic opportunity presented by a zero-carbon future.

Clare Hayward MBE, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said:

“The NP11, along with our public and private sector partners in the North, has been making the case that the North can be the driving force for the UK’s net zero transition.

“With the Government’s new Energy Strategy following hot on the heels of Chris Skidmore’s Net Zero Review, there’s never been a better time for northern business leaders to get around the table with Government and discuss how we can grab these once-in-a-generation opportunities for the benefit not just of the North but the whole country.”

The NP11 and industry leaders have invited ministers to meet with them in the Humber in May to discuss how the North can enable the Government to deliver on its energy security, net zero and economic growth ambitions.

Alongside the NP11 chairs, signatories also include leadership from leading businesses in the region, including Manchester Airports Group, Peel L&P, Cadent and Siemens, as well as regional directors of the CBI representing Northern England.

Carl Ennis, CEO for Great Britain and Ireland at Siemens, said:

“I’m proud to sign this letter alongside other business leaders who are playing a central role in the UK’s net zero transition. It’s no coincidence that the North is at the forefront of this transition. As a result of the North’s strong industrial heritage, the region has the skills, the infrastructure, the innovation capacity and strong public and private sector partnerships to respond to the transformation to a low carbon economy.

“As business leaders, we want to seize the economic opportunity set out in the Government’s Skidmore review. With countries such as the USA and China focusing significant investment on net zero innovation, we want to ensure the UK maintains its position of global leadership on this critical agenda and look forward to meeting with ministers to discuss how we can build on the work already underway.”

The NP11’s full letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero can be read in full here.