Friends of the Earth urge councils to 'green' buildings and create 70,000 jobs

At least 70,000 "green" jobs - including loft laggers, builders, electricians and administrative posts - could be created if local councils took action to cut climate emissions from buildings, environmentalists said today.

Friends of the Earth is calling on local authorities to insulate homes and businesses and install green energy technology on buildings in order to cut CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020.

A commitment to cut greenhouse gases by two-fifths by the end of the next decade could generate at least 70,000 jobs across England and Wales, research for the environmental lobby group said.

New loft laggers, architects, plumbers, builders, electricians, plasterers and insulation specialists would be needed to support the measures, as well as new administrative, transit and warehouse positions.

The research by climate advisers Carbon Descent was published as Friends of the Earth launched a new campaign - get serious about CO2 - urging local councils to commit to cutting emissions in their area by 40% by 2020.

The environmental group believes cuts of that order are needed by rich countries including the UK, to prevent the more damaging impacts of climate change both here and for the world's poorest people.

Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins said: "Local councils must play a big part in slashing the UK's carbon emissions to help avoid runaway climate change.

"With the economy in such a sorry state at the moment, our towns, cities and villages could really use a boost from new green jobs."

He said some "pioneering" councils had already lead the way with comprehensive programmes for insulation and installing green energy such as solar panels to buildings.

Kirklees Council in Yorkshire has created 120 jobs through insulating 21,000 homes, Friends of the Earth said.

"If every council in England and Wales took action too, they could create 70,000 new jobs, cut fuel bills and make people's homes more snug," Mr Atkins said.

Friends of the Earth is also calling for more money and fewer obstacles to enable councils to improve public transport, insulate more homes and install green technology - as well as for a new duty to be put on councils that fail to take steps to tackle climate change.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said all parts of government, including councils, took their responsibility to reduce emissions seriously.

He said: "Millions of pounds of grants are available for loft lagging and insulation.

"We have also committed £84 million so councils can put cavity wall insulation in 130,000 social rented homes, which will create 2,500 jobs and save each household £120 a year on heating bills.

"In addition, special planning rules expect councils to set ambitious targets for using local renewable energy.

"During the past decade, over £5 billion of investment has meant over one million council houses have had new (double-glazed) windows and modern heating installed."

But Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Government Association environment board, said the problem councils often faced was that they did not control the purse strings on money for "big 'green' projects".

He said town halls outlined plans for a Green New Deal six months ago which would create 150,000 green jobs, cut carbon emissions and help develop a low-carbon economy.

"Town halls have long been arguing for a national home insulation programme led by councils.

"This could replace the current scheme where funding sits with energy firms, which prefer to hand out free light bulbs instead of insulating homes.

"Better home insulation would make millions of properties more energy-efficient and boost semi-skilled employment."

And he said: "As things stand there are too many barriers and too many strings attached to funding which are preventing councils from launching big green initiatives, such as improving public transport and installing green technology."