In its climate action efforts, the UK has enshrined in law the goal to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 and Make UK has seen an accelerating movement to align its strategy towards this target. The upcoming United Nations Conference of Parties (COP26) is a major opportunity for the UK to demonstrate its global leadership and technological capabilities.

We know the manufacturing sector has a crucial role to play in this, and Make UK is committed to supporting and guiding its members in achieving the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 objective through our dedicated Digital and Green campaign.

Together, Make UK and Sage want to guide, inspire, and support manufacturers as the sector seeks to access the skills to transition towards a digital and green economy through our green skills principles.

Only 62% of manufacturers told us that their workforce is equipped with the skills they need to manufacture goods and products in a more sustainable way. Furthermore, Sage analysis shows over 80% of SMEs think that the recovery should be used as an opportunity to promote sustainability and a third prioritise education and skills as crucial for long-term economic growth.

Our Green Skills Guiding Principles are devised to encourage manufacturers to prioritise the green agenda in the months and years ahead. These principles can support the manufacturing industry by providing a framework to identify and access green skills now, and in the future. Collectively, we need to do more to be ready and to take advantage of a digital and green future.