Climate change: Can north Wales be Europe’s ‘green hub’

The green economy is not just about new technology though.

Ashley Rogers, CEO of the North Wales Business Council, agrees the area has “excellent potential to be a leading green hub” but said protecting thousands of existing jobs and decarbonising current industries was also crucial.

“Exports of goods from Flintshire and Wrexham alone are well over £5bn a year. We punch way above our weight on a global scale,” he added.

Not-for-profit body Net Zero Industry Wales aims to help businesses deliver net zero targets.

Its CEO Ben Burggraaf said north Wales had “a strong industrial foundation” in energy production, gas processing and steel production, making it “well placed to take a leading role in the UK energy transition”.

The Welsh government said its North Wales Growth Deal and a freeport on Anglesey formed part of a “growth strategy… aiming to attract over £3.4bn in investment”.

It said these initiatives focused on “sectors such as digital connectivity, advanced manufacturing, green energy and infrastructure development” and were aimed at delivering “a vibrant, sustainable and resilient future for north Wales”.