The government has responded to the results of the consultation on low carbon skills strategy. The government’s response reflects the overall skills strategy with continued emphasis on sector led activity and government support for programmes including apprenticeships, but Regional Development Agencies are being disbanded and spending constraints mean the government is looking for greater investment from employers, individuals and communities. This paper points out that trade unions may have renewed opportunities to organise in communities as a result of this, particularly if they can learn from the experience of trade unions in California.