A man inspects a car on the production line

Manufacturing matters: The cornerstone of a competitive green economy

Article

We make the case for building green manufacturing in the UK, and put forward a framework for how to make choices about which capabilities we most need.

UK manufacturing has declined far more than other advanced economies in the G7. This matters, even for a country that rightly prides itself on its services industries. Britain has lost over one-third of its manufacturing strengths since the 1990s, making the sector much less diverse and less technologically advanced. Countries like the US and France, which are similarly services-focussed, have maintained their manufacturing strengths at 1990s levels – even as services have become more dominant within their economies.

The net zero transition presents a perfect opportunity to revitalise UK manufacturing.

Scroll through our interactive maps below to see areas of Britain with potential to develop manufacturing in various green industries. Hover over the map for more information about each area

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