In September we heard the news that the High Court had quashed the planning permission given to West Cumbria Mining Ltd (WCM) for what would have been the UK’s first new coal mine in 30 years in Whitehaven.
Legal challenges by Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change won the day and were made possible by donations from thousands of concerned citizens and many hours of painstakingly detailed work by expert volunteers.
Whilst we greeted the High Court decision with immense relief, many people in the communities that would be directly affected by the mine have felt let down after so many years of waiting for the new employment opportunities promised by the mining company. Yet these were jobs that young people in Cumbria told us they did not want.
There are many alternative jobs to coal mining that are fit for the future, such as the improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings (including homes), more public and electric powered transport, increased recycling and reuse of waste, more renewable energy installation. These jobs deliver warmer, drier, easier to heat homes that are healthier to inhabit, more travel options for people living in remote areas, reduced dependence on private car ownership, less road congestion and better air quality to name just a few benefits. These jobs keep income in the local economy and improve the lives of people living and visiting Cumbria, rather than lining the pockets of unknown investors, causing air pollution and worsening climate breakdown as the coal mine would have done.
We wanted to know, not only how many jobs could be created in Cumbria in sectors including transport, industry, renewables and waste management, but also some of the cost savings that could be made by local businesses as a result. Our research showed that around 9,000 jobs could be created over the next 15 years and investments of £8.88 billion could put in place measures that would reduce Cumbria’s annual energy bill by £854 million. See The potential for green jobs in Cumbria report.
Friends of the Earth has also looked at employment opportunities. Its analysis shows that investing in a programme of insulating homes in west Cumbria could create 600 jobs and would also save householders £hundreds per year on their heating bills.
We’re acutely aware that what is needed now is far more than predictions in studies or numbers in tables – it’s real jobs with money behind them.
The WCM planning application now goes back to Communities Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. Its plans have taken a further blow as the Coal Authority has refused to grant coal mining licences for the development, quoting concerns about subsidence and financial viability. So it seems highly unlikely that any coal mining jobs will be in the offing any time soon.
But this gap needs to be filled for communities in west Cumbria. We urge the government to work with councils, industry and local people to make sure that the area gets the kinds of jobs that young people want – jobs which benefit the economy, strengthen the social fabric of the area and protect the environment from climate chaos.