Net zero schemes create green jobs in Leeds

Twenty-six skilled jobs have been created in Leeds as a result of the Council’s investment in low carbon upgrades earlier this year.

Energy and water services company Cenergist has recruited 13 full-time employees and moved 13 existing staff to a newly opened office in South Leeds to work on two major council decarbonisation programmes.

The company has recruited a range of roles, including labourers, project managers, and quantity surveyors, to help install low carbon heat pumps in council housing, leisure centres and homes for older people across the city.

Around half of Leeds’ carbon emissions are estimated to come from the energy used to power and heat homes and commercial buildings, with the heat pumps able to provide greener heating.

The new roles will also contribute to West Yorkshire targets for businesses to create 1000 skilled jobs in the green economy.

Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr James Lewis, visited the company’s new Beeston office: ‘As I prepare to attend COP26 in Glasgow, I am proud to represent a city and council already doing so much to become carbon neutral.

‘Taking bold steps to cut our emissions is not only the best thing we can do to protect ourselves and others from a changing climate but it is also the best strategy for Leeds to prosper from the economic opportunities of a greener world.

‘When we invest in local low carbon projects, we help businesses like Cenergist to invest in and upskill local workers. It was great to meet some of the new Leeds team at their Beeston office and hear what their roles mean to them.

‘As well as helping to create green jobs like these today through our investment, we’re also working with schools during COP26 to raise awareness of some of these essential careers and inspire the skilled workers of our future.’

Photo supplied by Leeds City Council