THE number of workers involved in “green” jobs that protect the environment is plummeting despite government commitments to expand the sector, according to statistics released today.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have revealed tens of thousands of jobs have been lost in zero-carbon energy and energy efficient industries since 2014.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) accused the government of “letting down working people who back action on climate change.”

And Friends of the Earth said that without a “massive boost” in jobs in the green sector “we’ll all be much worse off.”

The ONS data shows jobs in energy efficient products manufacturing down by 32,000 (more than a quarter) and in-shore wind energy down 2,300 (nearly one third), while solar energy is down 4,300 — more than 40 per cent.

Jobs in low-emission vehicles and infrastructure however have more than doubled, from 9,300 in 2014 to 19,100 in 2020.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “There are so many opportunities for the UK on the path to net zero.

“We can be pioneers in zero-carbon steel, electric vehicles, and floating offshore wind turbines. 

“And we can create 300,000 jobs in retrofits, so that everyone has a greener, warmer home with affordable bills.

“But we will miss out on these opportunities if ministers do not step up public investment and action. 

“And we could see existing jobs lost to other countries who modernise their industry faster.

“Working people say they want action on climate change. They know it will make their future more safe and secure.

“The government’s Green Jobs Taskforce set out a programme for how to create and fill good green jobs — it’s time for ministers to get on with it.”

Friends of the Earth head of policy Mike Childs said: “We’re at a crux where we need to boost green employment massively but instead it’s declining and that’s a big concern.

“There’s no way we can deliver the scale of change needed to make the country future-fit without the skilled workforce to boot.

“We need everything from heat pump engineers to home insulators and conservationists who can restore nature so that it better shields the climate.

“This is a significant stumbling block to climate progress, we’ll all be much worse off unless the government starts increasing provisions soon.”