UK green economy grows 5%

The UK’s low-carbon and renewable energy (LCRE) economy grew by 5% in 2016, with data from the Office for National Statistics showing the sector is now worth around £42.6bn in turnover.

The growth was significantly higher than the 1.8% GDP increase recorded across the economy that year, with the number of full-time LCRE employees rising by 3.3% to 208,000.

Energy-efficiency products accounted for almost half of the total turnover and more than two-thirds of employment, with low-emission vehicles representing 60% of all UK LCRE exports.

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