A REPORT into the economy of Yorkshire and Humber has revealed it supports 71,000 environmental jobs.
Ian Deans, regional director of the Countryside Agency, presented the figures to Yorkshire Forward's sustainable development conference, in Harrogate.
The report found the "environmental economy" supported more jobs than the 14,000 in mining, energy and water, or the 19,000 in agriculture, forestry and fishing.
The conference also heard that the environment generates £1.5bn of the region's turnover.
The report was drawn up by a partnership of agencies, including the Countryside Agency, Forestry Commission, Yorkshire Forward, English Nature and the Environment Agency.
Activities in the environmental economy include businesses involved in recycling and waste management; rural businesses involved in agri-environment schemes; organic farming; and sustainable woodland management.
Tourism and leisure businesses were also included, as well as jobs in environmental-related university departments and agencies, such as English Nature, and voluntary organisations such as wildlife trusts
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