Green economy can create jobs

Talk of the green shoots of economic recovery may be somewhat premature, but there is certainly the prospect for green jobs helping drive economic revival.

I have seen some of the remarkable creativity and ingenuity being applied locally to develop alternative technologies to deliver diverse energy sources.

Last month I attended the launch of the first fuel cell powered vehicle, developed by Riversimple based just outside the constituency. Low-tech woodchip biomass boilers are being installed in schools across Shropshire and in houses, including my own.

Last week a company in Bridgnorth announced a recruitment drive for up to 100 people to help build a carbon offset business.

Next Saturday I am chairing a debate in Bishop's Castle about promoting renewable energy, learning the lessons from Ludlow's anaerobic digester and prospects for solar and domestic scale wind energy.

Decarbonising Britain has at least three major benefits. It will help create hundreds of thousands of jobs, raise skills and improve Britain's competitiveness.

With the right policies we can encourage Britain to become a world leader in green technology, engineering, innovation and growth. It will also help guarantee our energy security and decrease our dependence on fossil fuels from other countries.

We need to encourage the development of innovative energy sources; where every household and business can play a part in producing and conserving energy. This will help protect our environment for future generations.

We have a responsibility to reduce reliance on oil and gas so that our children and their children enjoy a safer, greener and more fuel efficient future. It should also give real scope to create jobs and drive the economy out of the current recession.