§ Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the potential of the environmental industries to generate economic development.[9821]
§ Mr. WilsonThe most recent available figures relating to the environmental industries indicate that the global environmental market was worth about $335 billion in 2000 rising to $640 billion by 2010. A new study to up date these figures has been commissioned by the Department and is due for completion at the end of November 2001. This will also provide information on the UK's share of the global market.
160WThe Department is also in the process of establishing an Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) for the UK environmental industry. The primary role of the IGT will be to identify new trends and emerging factors which could impact on competitiveness within the industry, and to identify new market opportunities.