UK Trade Delegation highlights low-carbon as an economic revolution

Nine British companies made up a trade delegation to Australia - led by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) - that participated in the Enviro 2010 conference. The companies are showcasing low-carbon expertise and solutions from a range of environmental sectors including sustainability and energy.

As an emerging international hub for low-carbon expertise and innovation, many UK businesses are demonstrating that Australia companies can both lower their carbon output and increase their profitability, in all areas of business.

“Green business is rapidly developing into one of the most important areas of trade and investment between the UK and Australia,” said Richard Morris, Director-General of UK Trade & Investment (Australasia). “The UK has identified big opportunities in Australia for UK companies within the energy and recycling sub-sectors.

“There is a unique combination of political, economic and environmental factors driving unprecedented demand for environmental goods and services in Australia, making it a great time for UK companies to consider exporting here.”

Companies that reduce their carbon output and use sustainable practices can increase efficiency, create less waste and more jobs, and make their workplaces and surrounding area better places to live.

Many businesses in the Asia-Pacific region have also identified the economic opportunities on offer in the low-carbon transition - labelled ‘the next industrial revolution’:

• South Korea is investing 2% of its GDP in green growth over the next five years;
• China is now the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels and wind turbines;
• Low-carbon technologies are now a bigger global industry (in revenue terms) than the aerospace and defence sectors combined.