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All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012 (see transition and closure section). With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current. If in doubt, please contact us directly.

Environmental business sector

There is much attention currently focused on the opportunities for businesses within the Environmental Sector - and rightly so.

The global Low Carbon Environmental Goods and Services sector was valued in a recent BIS report at just over £3 trillion, and the UK market at £106 billion, which actually ranks it between our healthcare and construction sector in terms of market size.

Despite the current economic downturn, the low carbon environmental goods and services sector is still set to grow by up to 45% over the next 8 years.  This is excellent news for the South West, which already has considerable strengths within the sector and is well placed to take advantage of this growing market. 

Our excellent natural resource and world leading strengths in areas such as marine environmental technologies are well recognised, in fact the region has been designated the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area in recognition of our leading work in Marine Energy.

The RDA is working hard to ensure the South West is recognised as a leading place for green entrepreneurs to come and do businesses.    We have programmes of activity in a number of sectors, such as renewable energy as well as world leading projects like wave hub bringing investment and expertise to the region.   For smaller businesses across the sector we have a comprehensive business support package, which are currently building upon with a real focus on supporting innovation, which is so fundamental to the ongoing success of the sector.

Lanoyce woodchip boiler

Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station