UK sends first green trade delegation to US

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker will today lead the UK’s first green trade mission to the US. Wind turbine installers, a brewery and an insurance company will be among six […]

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker will today lead the UK’s first green trade mission to the US.

Wind turbine installers, a brewery and an insurance company will be among six companies joining Mr Barker on the five day trip, which will visit Washington, Philadelphia, Charlotte in North Carolina and Columbia in South Carolina.

Mr Barker and the business leaders will meet politicians, business groups, investors and regional development bodies to explore the openings for UK green business in the US and the inward investment opportunities that the UK’s low carbon sector offers.

Mr Barker said today: “I am proud to be a cheerleader for Britain’s green businesses and am flying the flag for those firms that are breaking into the US market.

“The companies joining me on this 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.”

Mr Barker will talk up the “transformation of the UK economy that we are delivering through the green deal, our reforms of the electricity market and the creation of the green investment bank”.

He added: “My message will be that Britain is open for green business investment.”

The companies taking part in the trade mission are Jupiter Asset Management, which offers environmentally sustainable investment vehicles; energy efficiency and renewables firm, the Mark Group, whichalready has a base in Philadelphia; the RES Group, which develops and builds on- and off-shore wind, biomass and large-scale solar projects; brewer Adnams Southwold, which utilises renewable technology in its manufacturing process; clean power systems company Intelligent Energy; and global risk management advisoryfirm and insurance broker Willis Group.

Mark Group commercial director Bill Rumble said: “It is a privilege to be invited to take part in DECC’s first ever green trade mission. Mark Group sees itself as a pioneer of the energy savingindustry both in the UK and in overseas markets. We hope, through this visit to north America, we will be able to help the UK government showcase its home growngreen talent and help others develop a thriving green economy.”

RES Group chief executive Ian Mays said the US is a market that “will see huge growth in clean, secure and renewable energy like wind and solar power and we are pleased to be on this mission to showcase our expertise”, while Intelligent Energy’s Dennis Hayter said:

“There is terrific potential to unlock the UK’s green sector and missions such as these are crucial if we are to accelerate export growth.”

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