Environmental groups and businesses are hailing the strength of the South East’s green economy as a new report shows signs of success despite the economic downturn.

The report, Green Economy: A UK Success Story, published today by the Green Alliance along with RSPB, WWF, Greenpeace and Christian Aid, reveals that the sector has shown recession resilience.

While the general economy will only return to 2007 levels by 2014 at the earliest, the green economy will have grown by 40% in that same period.

The south east region is one of those leading the way with nearly 120,000 low carbon and environmental jobs in 2010-11, more than the motor trades (80,400) and telecommunications (36,600) put together.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

"This timely and welcome report is a tribute to the success of the South East’s renewable energy and green industry sector in creating jobs for local people, generating new economic activity and reducing carbon emissions.

"In cities like Brighton and Hove, home to my constituency, green industries are increasingly being seen as the key to resilient local economies.

"However, the report is also a warning to the Government: that it cannot continue to ignore the huge potential of the green economy to aid our economic recovery.

"Instead of clinging desperately to his failed austerity plan while the UK economy spirals further into recession, the Chancellor must drop his anti-green rhetoric and recognise that investing in the jobs-rich, low carbon infrastructure of the future is the right thing to do, both for the economy and for the planet."

Chris Corrigan, RSPB south east regional director, said:

"We’ve shown this summer we can stand at the centre of the world stage when it comes to sport. But when it comes to forging a healthy green business sector we also have a lot to be proud of here in the south east."

The report states that the vast majority of private sector investment last year went into low carbon projects (£14.5bn).

High carbon infrastructure only attracted £1.2bn of private sector money – relying far more on public spending.

The south east has seen £297m of renewables investment and nearly two and half thousand renewables jobs announced in the last financial year.

Local business Brighton Energy Co-op is an example of the growing success within the green sector.

Damian Tow, project director, said:

"We are a pioneering community owned renewable energy company which formed in November 2010.

"Since then have raised nearly £180K in community investment, £33K in grants and a £50K loan to roll out energy efficiency education, surveys and solar PV.

"In July 2012 we installed 133kWp of solar panels in Brighton & Hove, making BEC the largest renewable energy owner in the City.

"For us the 'Green Economy' is all about opportunity - the opportunity for creating new jobs and industries in a recession and also transforming where capital is invested from carbon intense multinational industries to low carbon, local and 'human scale' businesses.

"It's as much about empowerment to create solutions together as it is about generating green power".

ENDS