Six UK companies that are capitalising on the opportunities of the green economy joined Climate Change Minister Greg Barker last week for the Department’s first ever green trade mission.
The five-day visit to the U.S. covered Washington D.C, Philadelphia, Charlotte (North Carolina) and Columbia (South Carolina).
Greg Barker and the business leaders met with politicians, business groups, investors and regional development bodies to explore the openings for UK green business in the U.S. and the inward investment opportunities that the UK’s low carbon sector offers.
“The companies joining me on this U.S. trade mission are living proof of the economic benefits of the new green economy and can therefore help me make the case that going green is good for the economy, as well as energy security,” Barker commented.
The mission has three main aims: to help UK companies break into the U.S. market, to demonstrate the opportunities presented by the green economy, and to highlight the massive opportunities for investment in the UK.
The companies that took part in the trade mission are Jupiter Asset Management, which amongst its range of products has created investment vehicles for those wanting to invest in environmentally sustainable companies; the Mark Group, which has grown over the past four decades from a small home insulation business to a sophisticated energy efficiency and renewables firm; the RES Group, a developer and constructor of renewable energy projects (on-shore wind, off-shore wind, biomass and large-scale solar farms); Adnams Southwold, whose “zero-carbon” beer is increasing the company’s appeal to younger, eco-concious consumers; Intelligent Energy, a global clean power systems company; and Willis Group Holdings plc, a global risk management advisory firm and insurance broker with expertise in helping clients prepare for and manage extreme events and climate-related risks.
