UK a ‘world leader for clean start-ups’

The UK is one of the best countries in the world in which to launch a clean-technology business, according to a study.

Britain's attractiveness for renewable energy investment has received a shot in the arm after it emerged that it finished in 10th place in the inaugural study by Cleantech Group and WWF. A total of 38 countries were ranked as part of the study.

The study examined a range of factors when deciding which countries have the greatest potential to produce entrepreneurial clean-technology start-up companies capable of commercialising innovative green technologies in years to come.

Meanwhile, the UK's renewable energy sector was given further cause for celebration this week after Ernst and Young rated it as the fifth most attractive destination for clean-energy investors in its latest quarterly index.

The news that the UK is one of the world leaders in fostering an environment in which newly-formed clean technology companies can thrive has good implications for the future.

Richard Youngman, Europe and Asia Managing Director of Cleantech Group, said: “The global macro-economic landscape is shifting. Fostering entrepreneurial start-ups and growth companies with clean-technology solutions will be an increasingly important part of countries' competitiveness on the world stage.”

The report went on to praise the way that new companies are able to secure relatively good access to private finance in the UK, while it also noted the strong local investor community and an infrastructure environment that is attractive to renewables development.

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