The past months have seen a shift in international trade, of a scale not seen for decades. New US tariffs have created uncertainty for investors, and promise to spark a global trade war. While these new challenges to cross-border trade are unique, recent years have seen another shift in industrial policy, particularly in the UK, with leaders on both sides of the political divide emphasising a pro-growth, abundance agenda.

With such pressures on existing supply chains, and renewed attention to growth and productivity, can manufacturers still aim for decarbonisation? In this episode, first aired in March 2023, we present an idea that promises to boost growth, while meeting climate goals and protecting local supply chains. 

Sam Turner, Net Zero champion for the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, proposes a new approach: not offshoring, but ‘greenshoring’. The strategy would see countries competing not just on their ability to supply cheap labour and materials, but on their ability to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental harms.

It’s an approach that has been adopted by Frog Bikes, a manufacturer based in the UK’s Bike Valley, a regional cluster of businesses that aims to develop bicycle manufacturing in the country. 

But the company has struggled to find the data it needs to prove its ability to compete in terms of carbon costs. Doing this will require the development of new carbon accounting tools, and of standards that allow them to be validated. 

Guests

Katherine Bennett, CEO, High Value Manufacturing Catapult

Sam Turner, Net Zero champion, High Value Manufacturing Catapult

Russ Hall, chief engineer, Net Zero, High Value Manufacturing Catapult 

Shelley Lawson, director, Frog Bikes

Jerry Lawson, chief frog, Frog Bikes