Birmingham’s Environmental Credentials Highlighted In Latest UK Powerhouse Study

A new economic report has revealed a growing divide between UK cities when it comes to environmental sustainability - with Birmingham being outperformed by locations in the South in terms of lower CO2 emissions per person and zero-emission commuting.

According to UK Powerhouse, a report by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economic & Business Research (Cebr), cities in the South have the strongest economies in terms of GVA* and dominate in a number of key indicators relating to sustainability. 

The report says Birmingham will be in the top 5 for job creation in Q1 2021 – the quarter when the transition period in the UK’s current EU Withdrawal agreement is set to end - but reveals a poor picture in terms of its environmental credentials.  

When it comes to carbon dioxide per capita, the latest figures revealed that Birmingham reduced its year-on-year figure by 6.4% putting it in 16th place with 3.7 kt CO2 per person.

There were however no locations in the Midlands in the top 10 for the lowest CO2 per person.

Birmingham appears 11th for the share of low emission transport** at 9%, however came last for share of population using zero emission transport***.  

Out of all the English Powerhouse cities in the report, Birmingham was also ranked the lowest for waste recycling. 

Expert Opinion

“This latest report paints a mixed picture for Birmingham. It is expected to be the fifth fastest growing city for employment growth at the start of 2021 with a 1.6% year on year increase, taking headcount to 600,600.

“What is clear is that there is much more to do in terms of environmental sustainability. In June, the UK has announced its ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the first major economy to do so. The ever-more urgent topic of climate change and sustainability has reached the highest level of government and it’s important that businesses across the region recognise not only the important role they have to play, but also the huge and exciting opportunities that exist.”
Chris Rawstron - Partner

To download the latest report, click here

Methodology Note

All forecasts in this report utilise Cebr’s central scenario. Cebr’s central forecasts are based on the assumption that an amended version of the Brexit withdrawal agreement will form the basis of the future UK – EU relationship. We further assume that a transitional arrangement will be put in place that allows a continuation of the current relationship without any major disruptions until at least 2021. On the immigration policy, we rely on the lower immigration population estimates assuming that a visa system will be implemented for EU nationals, but that the requirements (e.g. the minimum salary, the NHS surcharge payment, the application fees, etc.) would be more relaxed than they currently are for non-EU nationals requiring a visa.

* Gross value added
**Low emission transport include travels by bus/coach, national rail and underground 
***Zero emission transport includes travel by walking or cycling