The government, unions and firms of all sizes must do more to help to create a "green economy", one industry body believes.
According to Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), European companies have already shown both jobs and money can be created by embracing such an economy and he fears the UK risks being left behind.
Mr Barber said: "Now is the time to start implementing the policies which could allow a UK green sector to give a much needed boost to our slowing economy."
The TUC believes the government should look at how employer-union partnerships in the workplace can help to cut carbon emissions as well as driving "green innovation", he added.
However, if the UK fails to embrace a green economy then energy intensive industries in the UK "face an uncertain future", Mr Barber warned.
Last week, a study by Savills found that 54 per cent of male and 67 per cent of female workers think that a firm's environmental policies are an important factor in making it a good employer.
