Recommendations and key statistics

To harness design for the green transition we recommend that the government:

1) Pilot three regional Zero Carbon Design Innovation Centres as accelerators of local green industrial renewal:

To bridge the gap between research and real-world application of green innovation through design.

2) Correct the R&D tax credit eligibility with a more expansive definition of design:

To scale up business investment in design-led innovation for net zero.

3) Roll-out progressive environmental regulation and incentives across all design sub-sectors:

To align design’s economic value with environmental commitments.

4) Create a National Design Education and Skills Plan:

To ensure everyone can access high-quality design education and upskill for the green economy.

Key statistics

• 1.97m people work in the design economy

• Workers with design skills are 47% more productive than the UK average

• For every £1 a business invests in design, they see £20 return on that investment

• The design economy contributes, £1 of every £10 in UK exports