Sefton net zero projects add 180 million pounds to local economy but council emissions cuts stall at 43 percent

A new report from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds net zero projects contribute 180 million pounds and 2,300 jobs to Sefton's economy. The sector generates 9.7 billion pounds across the North West and supports 111,800 jobs. Jobs in the net zero economy pay an average of 43,000 pounds and are 48 percent more productive than the UK average. Every 1 pound in value from net zero activity generates another 1.85 pounds in the wider economy. Sefton Council's own progress tells a different story. Emissions have fallen 43 percent since its 2019 climate emergency declaration, but cuts stalled to just 16 tonnes in 2025/26. The early gains came mainly from switching to a clean energy tariff. The council now faces a gap between its 2030 net zero target and actual delivery. The article raises the question of whether local political shifts and lack of new measures will prevent the target from being met.