A new plan for how South Wales and Western England could make the UK a global leader in net zero energy has been unveiled at a national net zero conference.

The Western Gateway Hydrogen Delivery Pathway suggests that investing in hydrogen infrastructure in the area could create up to new 40,000 new jobs (directly and indirectly) and safeguard a further 60,000 existing jobs.

By investing in hydrogen for the sectors which need it in the area, the plans also suggest that between 16,000 and 21,000 kilo tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions could be saved by 2050.

The plans build on the area's reputation as a centre for aviation engineering - as home to 14 of the 15 world largest aerospace manufacturers - to suggest that it could take a lead in creating sustainable air fuel for the future.

It also seeks to find solutions for decarbonising South Wales's industrial sector, including the Port Talbot steel works, using cross border infrastructure and floating offshore wind energy in the Celtic Sea.

The plans have been unveiled at Hydrogen Gateway, a national net zero conference led by the Western Gateway Partnership in collaboration with Hydrogen South West, the South Wales Industrial Cluster and the GW4 Alliance (which brings together the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter).

The conference brought together politicians from England and Wales with business and academics, to discuss how these aims could be achieved through private and public collaboration.

Katherine Bennett CBE, chair of the Western Gateway, said: "Our area has huge potential to deliver opportunities for the rest of the UK. Using our combined strengths and skills, our leaders and businesses are ready to provide huge economic opportunity for both countries, finding world saving solutions for some of the toughest decarbonisation problems, as the UK's green energy powerhouse."

Also speaking at the conference, Chris Skidmore MP, chair of the UK Net Zero Review, said: "Last year, the UK Government confirmed that hydrogen is a key part of its plans to reach net zero, with aims to increase production to 10GW by 2030 and the announcement of a new national Hydrogen Champion. The Western Gateway has nationally significant strengths in hydrogen, from the South Wales Industrial Cluster to the hydrogen hub in Swindon, and I'm delighted to support their work to power the UK's net zero economy."

The conference also included talks representatives from RWE, EDF, Airbus, Wales and West Utilities, Innovate UK, UK Infrastructure Bank and British Business Bank.

The Western Gateway is the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England, including Gloucestershire. Reaching from Swansea to Swindon, the partnership brings together business, universities and local leaders to work together to add an extra £34bn to the economy by 2030 and reach net zero.