Tag: net zero targets

Green Careers Week: Why encouraging the next generation of ‘green workers’ holds the key to meeting our net zero targets

ENCOURAGING more young people to embark on a green career is vital for the UK to meet its 2050 net zero targets, a leading recycling association says.

As part of a new campaign to mark Green Careers Week, the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) also outlined five reasons why a career in the sector can prove to be life changing.

The BMRA says a myriad of opportunities exist for those looking to enter the sector and that it doesn’t matter whether the person is a school leaver with minimal qualifications or a graduate with a BA, MA or even a PhD. 

Outlining why Green Careers Week is so important, James Kelly, CEO, BMRA says: “Metals recycling is a vital component if the UK is to meet its climate goals by 2050.

“By 2050, many of those working in the sector now will be long retired whereas those at school today will be well into their careers. Like all industries, metals recycling has felt the reduction in talent pool which is why it is even more important to encourage young people into the industry.” 

Mr Kelly added that even if people don’t have the relevant qualifications, many will have skills that can be transferred into the industry: “Metals recycling companies have traditionally been family-run businesses, but as the industry grows, ownership models have been changing and more people are coming into the industry with skills obtained in other sectors.

“We also don’t want people to be put off if they don’t have qualifications. The BMRA was a key part of the team that created the Metals Recycling General Operative level 2 apprenticeship. This approach is a simple solution to plugging that talent pool gap for employers and offers young people a structured route into a green career”. 

His comments come in the wake of a recent survey commissioned by British Gas for National Apprenticeship Week. It said that three quarters of respondents are seeking careers that have a positive environmental impact. 

According to the survey, on average, respondents have been considering a career which makes a difference from as early as 10 years old.

One person who has seen the positive impact of a green career is Elliot Ashton, a Weighbridge Operator at Kuusakoski Recycling. Elliot, 25, who came to metals recycling from another industry, said: “Don’t underestimate the possibilities or potential for personal development that are available through a green career.

“What may seem like a minor position can quickly evolve and build up to be a full-blown career with the possibility to achieve a multitude of licenses, qualifications, and training.”

The Metals Recycling General Operative apprenticeship develops an apprentice’s knowledge and appreciation of a wide range of processes, site administration, risk assessment as well as legislation relating to metals recycling. T

hey will attain the skills to operate industry-specific and generic plant and equipment, such as a forklift truck, shear and cable strippers. Safety will form a key element of their role and they can select one of five specialist routes in which to train. 

The BMRA has also offered five reasons why you may want to consider a Green Career: 

  • Help sustain the planet. Metals are 100% recyclable and avoid sending a permanent material to landfill. It prevents natural habitat from being mined, and it saves energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 80%. 
  • A career for life. The metals recycling industry does not stand still. It is busy, vibrant, and hands-on. If you have passion and motivation, the pathway for you knows no bounds. With a multitude of entry-level options available to you, you will gain more experience and knowledge that can open up other roles within the sector. 
  • A job for everyone. Whether you are degree educated, or left school with minimal or no qualifications, there is a green job for you. Within metals ecycling, there is a sector-specific apprenticeship which can train on the ground operatives, even assisting them with passing their GCSEs if required. If you have a STEM degree, the metals recycling industry will need scientists and engineers. The options are vast.
  • Metals recycling touches all parts of society. Energy, construction, automotive, food and beverage, households. There will be very few things that you use, or touch, which do not contain metal that can be recycled. Even the phone you might be reading these words on. The metals recycling industry is worth £7 billion to the UK economy, so not insignificant at all!
  • Variety in your day to day. Particularly if you work on a smaller site, you may get to do a bit of everything, from weighbridge, to using the forklift, to material handler operating. You will also meet a variety of people, ensuring that no two days are the same. 

‘Alarming’: Rising carbon footprint due to consumption of imported goods

Figures released by the Scottish Government yesterday (15 March) show that Scotland’s carbon footprint has increased for the first time in six years.

The greatest increase came from the greenhouse gas emissions from imported goods. Emissions from imports are now greater than the rest of Scotland’s emissions combined.

Scotland’s carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gas emissions from all the goods and services consumed by Scotland in a year. However, Scotland’s Net Zero targets only include greenhouse gases emitted in Scotland. Emissions from imports are excluded from national climate targets and this means they can rise unabated.

The Circular Economy Bill, which is due to be consulted on in May, is a chance for Scotland to reverse this trend and start taking responsibility for its environmental impacts overseas.

In a circular economy, materials consumption is reduced by reusing products rather than burning or burying them after a single use. This means producers need to think about how the product can be reused from the initial stages of design, and choose materials accordingly.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “The rise in Scotland’s carbon footprint is alarming. By only looking at the emissions produced at home, we are ignoring the greatest part of our carbon footprint and failing to play our full role in tackling the climate crisis.

“The climate emergency doesn’t recognise any borders, and by outsourcing the emissions from imports to other countries, the Scottish Government is shirking its responsibility.

“The Scottish Government can reverse the rise in emissions by putting strong consumption targets at the heart of its newly announced Circular Economy Bill – this is the only way to ensure that Scotland reduces its global environmental impact.”

Scotland’s carbon footprint was 70.4Mt CO2e in 2018, a 2.6% rise on the previous year.

Ellesmere Port to support sustainable mobility through the production of all-electric vehicles

  • Ellesmere Port to become Stellantis’s first manufacturing site dedicated to battery electric LCV and passenger car models for Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën
  • Industrial performance improvements as a result of strong cooperation between the company, the Unite Union and, most importantly, the workforce
  • Stellantis £100million investment supported by the UK government to secure an all-electric future for the plant
  • Ambition for Ellesmere Port plant to be carbon neutral by mid-decade
  • Ellesmere Port to support Stellantis Europe’s leading LCV position
  • Vauxhall continuing its tradition of manufacturing vehicles in the UK, which started in 1903

Stellantis announces today a £100million investment in Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant to transform the site for a new era in electric vehicle manufacturing. 

Ellesmere Port will become the first Stellantis plant to produce a solely battery-electric model, in both commercial and passenger versions, by the end of next year, for Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën brands and for both domestic and export markets.

This dedication to battery electric vehicles will go towards achieving the UK Government’s decision to stop sales of pure petrol and diesel engined vehicles from 2030.

Stellantis investment in Ellesmere Port will leverage the performance improvement actions that have been made possible thanks to a collaborative process between the company, the Unite the Union and based on the workforce’s drive to transform their plant.

Stellantis strong willingness to ensure a sustainable future for Ellesmere Port has been consistently supported by the UK Government, the Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise partnership and Chester College.

Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive Officer at Stellantis, said: “Performance is always the trigger for sustainability and this £100million investment demonstrates our commitment to the UK and to Ellesmere Port.

“I particularly want to thank our highly skilled, dedicated workforce for their patience and contribution; we never let them down.  Equally, I want to thank our partners the Unite Union for their open mind set and strong cooperation and, of course, the UK Government for their continued support.

“Producing battery electric vehicles here will support clean, safe and affordable mobility for the citizens. Since 1903 Vauxhall has manufactured vehicles in Britain and we will continue to do so.”

UK Government, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “Ellesmere Port’s proud tradition in auto manufacturing will continue for many years to come thanks to today’s investment.

“Stellantis’ decision to double down on their commitment to this site is a clear vote of confidence in the UK as one of the best locations globally for competitive, high-quality automotive production.

“Today’s decision will not only power Ellesmere Port into a clean future, but will secure thousands of jobs across the region in the supply chain. In this global race to secure electric vehicle production, we are proud to support Britain’s auto sector in this crucial transition as we work to build back better.”

The plant at Ellesmere Port will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, having been built in 1962, and produced its first car, the Vauxhall Viva, in 1964.  Since that time, it has produced subsequent generations of the Vauxhall Viva, the Vauxhall Chevette and then each generation of the Vauxhall and Opel Astra.  In total, since 1964, it has built over 5.2 million vehicles. 

This new era of manufacturing will see a transformation of the Ellesmere Port plant “fit for the future”, with a new body shop, upgraded general assembly, a compression of the site area and the creation of an on-site battery pack assembly.  In addition, there will be further support to enable a pathway to carbon neutrality for the plant by the middle of this decade.  The plant aims to be 100% self-sufficient for electricity and work will commence imminently on potential wind and solar farms. 

Stellantis has also announced the intention to consult on further investment into the Ellesmere Port site with the creation of a new UK parts distribution centre.

From later next year, Ellesmere Port will build the following all-electric vehicles:

Electric LCVElectric Passenger Car
Vauxhall Combo-eVauxhall Combo-e Life
Opel Combo-eOpel Combo-e Life
Peugeot e-PartnerPeugeot e-Rifter
Citroën e-BerlingoCitroën e-Berlingo

These light commercial vehicles, and their passenger car variants, are all powered by a 100kW (136hp) motor with a 50kWh lithium-ion battery.  They are able to be charged at up to 100kW and take just 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 80%.  Under WLTP conditions, they are capable of up to 174 miles of range.

Stellantis is the LCV market leader in Europe and, in the UK, Vauxhall leads sales in the fast growing all-electric LCV segment.

Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën brands have already committed to each offering all-electric versions of their entire respective van model ranges before the end of 2021.  Fiat Professional is also committed to offering electrified and alternatively fuelled versions across its van range.

With rising LCV usage in urban areas, partly due to the growth in demand for online delivery services, these zero-emissions-in-use vans will make a significant contribution to reducing emissions in towns and cities across the country.

The passenger car version will enable families to enjoy a “zero emission” active life with up to seven seats, benefitting from a modern high-tech interior, with great levels of comfort and adaptability and interior space, premium comfort and smart safety features.