Boost for UK environment sector
15 Jan 2000
The first ever business plan for the UK's environment industries was launched in London last month by John Battle and Michael Meacher, ministers for science, energy and industry, and the environment respectively.
The three-year plan was produced by the government's Joint Environmental Markets Unit (JEMU), following consultation with the industry last year. It sets out a £1 million/year action programme, showing how JEMU will work with the UK's 'green' industries. According to JEMU, these industries have a turnover of some £5 billion, but are part of a global environmental market worth $280 billion now and likely to grow to over $640 billion by 2010.
'There's a world to be won out there,' said Battle. 'In global terms, the potential is huge, and growing, as we face environmental challenges of the 21st century, such as the growing demand for water. We pledged to encourage British businesses in these industries. This plan is the first step in that partnership.'
