Sue Ferns, Prospect’s head of research, said: “Although full of good intentions, the report says very little about how the aspirations will be delivered and falls far short of the active industrial strategy the UK urgently needs to deliver green growth.

“There is no analysis of employment implications and just one short paragraph on skills that does not even mention the crucial importance of STEM skills, where there are already shortages. A further statement, tucked away on Business Link web pages, that STEM skills will be ‘a priority for the green economy at least as much as for the economy as a whole’ singularly fails to provide reassurance.”

While acknowledging the report recognises that ‘effective and proportionate’ environmental regulation has a role to play, Ferns said there was a clear preference to ‘explore voluntary agreements and other less burdensome alternatives’, adding “We know this will not work.”

The report concludes that ‘businesses and government must work together to fully realise the opportunities and drive green growth’. Ferns said: “The reality is that they cannot succeed without engaging with the workforce. Unions have a key role to play in ensuring just transition to a green economy.”

Prospect is a member of the Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee, TUSDAC - the main forum for consultation between Government and trade unions on sustainable development and environmental issues, with the aim of developing policy and practical measures that unions can adopt.