A bust transition? Poll: Only one in five Scots believe renewables will create jobs

Only one in five Scots believe the transition from oil and gas to renewable energy will create jobs, polling reveals.

A nationwide survey shows Scots have more at stake in the drive to cut emissions than anywhere else in the UK but far less confidence it will deliver economic or climate benefits.

The UK and Scottish governments insist a “just transition” will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in renewables for former oil and gas workers but the poll of 2100 people across the UK reveals most Scots are unconvinced.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by GMB and Prospect trade unions, suggests 17 per cent of Scots (around 568,000) work in energy or know someone who does, a far higher proportion than anywhere else in the UK

However, less than half (47 per cent) feel positive about the transition from oil and gas to renewable energy - lower than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - while 21 per cent feel negative, more than any of the other home nations.

Almost one in three (29 per cent) fear the energy transition will cost jobs in Scotland, again the highest proportion across the UK and almost three times the proportion in England (11 per cent), while only 17 per cent of Scots think it will increase job opportunities, the lowest level of optimism across the country.

The polling reveals only three in ten (31 per cent) across Britain think the transition will have a positive impact on jobs while more than half (55 per cent) believe the transition should be focused on jobs and the economy rather than speed.

GMB and Prospect have warned UK and Scottish governments must show clear progress on creating new jobs in renewables and supply chains or risk public support for the transition to green energy.

The unions have launched a campaign group, Climate Jobs UK, to ensure workers and jobs are at the centre of the debate on decarbonisation.

The new polling suggests only one in four Scots believe energy workers should be most involved in shaping the move to renewables after politicians, climate campaigners and energy companies.

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said the voice of workers in oil and gas has been ignored as the drive to Net Zero threatens their communities while failing to deliver promised jobs.

She said: “Experienced and skilled workers across oil and gas know better than anyone what the scale of this transition will demand and what is at stake.

“Promises of green jobs tomorrow mean nothing when real jobs are being lost today and, so far, this transition has been something done to our workers and their communities not with them.

“These workers understand change and know how to make it happen but their expert voice has been drowned out by the din of politicians and campaigners making a noise instead of a plan.

“The insight and expertise of workers must be front and centre in this transition and, if it is not, this transition will fail.”

The unions fear the poll underlines mounting concern that, if promised new jobs in renewables are not seen soon, more support will swing to populist politicians denying climate change.

In Scotland, the SNP government is also under increasing pressure to reverse its ban on new nuclear power as the construction of new reactors in England creates thousands of well-paid jobs and apprenticeships.

Last week, GMB general secretary Gary Smith said Scots have an emotional investment in the energy industry and warned failing to secure oil and gas jobs while moving to renewables will sabotage Scottish Labour’s chances in next year’s Holyrood elections.

The YouGov poll found many Scots do not believe the drive to decarbonise energy will make a real difference.

One in four (24 per cent) believe it will harm economic growth while a similar proportion (25%) think it will mean higher household energy bills in the long term while having no impact on climate change.

One in five (20 per cent) fear it will make the UK more reliant on foreign energy producers while less than half (43 per cent) think it will strengthen the country’s energy security.