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Green Jobs

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Part of a series about
Environmental economics
 
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Green jobs, also called green-collar jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics are classified as, "jobs in business that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources[1]" or "jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources[2]". The Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes Green Jobs into the following: Water conservation, Sustainable forestry, Biofuels, Geothermal energy, Environmental Remediation, Sustainability, Energy auditors, Recycling, Electric Vehicles, Solar power, and Wind energy.[3]

These definitions include jobs which seek to use or develop renewable forms of energy (i.e. wind, hydropower, geothermal, wind, landfill gas and municipal solid waste) as well as increase their efficiency. Under the green jobs domain education, training, and public awareness are also included. These jobs seek to enforce regulations, support education, and increase public influence for the benefit of the environment.

Measuring Green Jobs(?)

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Data from 3 surveys[3]

  •  Green Technologies and Practices
  • Green Goods and Services 
  • Green Goods and Services Occupations 

A 2004 study by the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) at UC Berkeley reported that the renewable energy sector generates more jobs than the fossil fuel-based energy sector per unit of energy delivered (i.e., per average megawatt) across a broad range of scenarios.[4] Contrarily, a report by Gabriel Calzada Alvarez analyzing the impact of an eleven-year Green energy project in Spain concluded that the U.S. should expect a loss of at least 2.2 jobs on average for each "green job" created, or about 9 jobs lost for every 4 created, in addition to those jobs that non-subsidized investments with the same resources would have created.[5][6] A rebuttal to the Spanish study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) presented numerous allegations of methodological flaws in the Spanish study, citing outdated data, non-standard measures of job creation, and a lack of accompanying statistical analysis among the limitations of the study.[7]

In 2010, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) received funding to analyze data about green jobs. The goal of this initiative is to [map] "(1) the number of and trend over time in green jobs, (2) the industrial, occupational, and geographic distribution of the jobs, and (3) the wages of the workers in these jobs."[8]

In September 2010, the BLS published its final definition of green jobs in the Federal Register,[9] organizing them in 2 types: A) Jobs in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. Type A) green jobs are further divided in 5 categories. B) Jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources. Type B) jobs are further divided in 4 categories.

A 2011, Canadian report by the Pembina Institute found that the Canada’s governments could create more jobs by implementing strong climate policies than by continuing with business as usual.[10]

Impacts Under Trump Administration

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On January 23, 2017 President Trump signed executive order regarding a hiring freeze on government positions across the executive branch[11]. Additionally Trump placed a hold on grants distributed through the EPA that could amount to 4 billion dollars per year. The measure was recanted days later but Trump has proclaimed his intent to “drastically cut the EPA”. Myron Ebell, a former member of the Trump transition team, when asked about United States Environmental Protection Agency cuts in an interview with Associated Press, responded "Let's aim [to cut] for half and see how it works out, and then maybe we'll want to go further".

In the 2018 "Make America Great Again Blueprint", the Trump administration has cut funding for the EPA by 31% and discontinued funding for the Clean Power Plan, international climate change programs, climate change research and partnership programs, and related efforts[12]. These proposed cuts could eliminate 3,200 EPA employees, or 19 percent of the current workforce as the Trump administration seeks to roll back Obama era environmental protections like the Clean Power Plan. The plan seeks to eliminate more than 50 EPA programs and cut funding for specific regional efforts such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Chesapeake Bay, and other geographic programs"[12].

The details are still very much in flux but it is apparent through that the Trump administration intends on cutting the breath and reach of the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is a huge source of green jobs nationwide. So it is predicted that there will be a net loss in green jobs through the Trump administration. 

Green Jobs and Workforce Education

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The National Council for Workforce Education and AED published a report, Going Green: Going Green: The Vital Role of Community Colleges in Building a Sustainable Future and a Green Workforce that examines how workforce education and community colleges contribute to the overall efforts in the move toward renewable and clean energy. The report gives examples of initiatives currently in effect nationally as well as offering information as to how to implement programs.

In response to high unemployment and a distressed economy workers need skills that are relevant to their specific geographical locations. "Instead of making green jobs we need to make jobs green" says Ken Warden, an administrator in workforce education.

There are a lot of solar industry jobs.[13] The SEIA maintains a resource for those looking for solar jobs.[14] A 2016 study indicates that the declining coal industry could protect their workers by retraining them for the solar industry. [15] There is also some indications that the solar industry “welcomes coal workers with open arms”.[16]

Green Jobs Initiatives

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UNEP Green Jobs Initiative

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In 2008 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the International Employers Organization (IEO) jointly launched the Green Jobs Initiative. The purpose is to bring a just transition to a green economy by providing space for workers, employers, and governments to negotiate on policy effective in providing equitable opportunity to green jobs.[17]

U.S. Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

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File:2017-Jan Fig1-SolarGrowthWithITC.png
Current Growth of Solar Installation

The Business Energy Investment Tax credit is a United States federal policy introduced in 2005 to promote the implementation of green energy sources through 30% federal tax return in both residential and commercial projects. Individuals and companies were able to apply to the ITC to receive credits for investments in green energy technologies, including solar, fuel cell and wind energy tech. [18] The ITC has been extended multiple times, most recently in 2015 through a multi-year extension that will maintain the 30% return up until 2019, afterward decreasing to 26% until 2020 and 22% until 2021. After 2021, commercial credits would reduce to 10% and 0% for residential projects. The Solar Energy Industries Association has attributed stability in the growth of solar energy industries in the U.S. to the implementation of the ITC since 2006. [19] Since the implementation of the ITC, the U.S solar industry has experienced growth in implementation of solar technology, mainly due to rapidly decreasing of overhead costs as the solar industry was spurred to production and development through the ITC. [20] The U.S. solar industry is projected to employ over 420,000 individuals by 2020 -nearly double of the 260,000 solar workers in 2016- and contribute $30 billion to the United States economy annually. [21]

SA Green Jobs Act 2007

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The Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847), introduced by Reps. Hilda Solis (D-CA) and John Tierney (D-MA), "authorized up to $125 million in funding to establish national and state job training programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, to help address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries, such as energy efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, and biofuels development." [22] The Energy Independence and Security Act passed in December 2007 incorporates the Green Jobs Act of 2007.

Additionally, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), passed in early 2009, includes provisions for new jobs in industries such as energy, utilities, construction, and manufacturing with a focus toward energy efficiency and more environmentally-friendly practices.[23][24]

In March 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama appointed Van Jones as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Following Jones' resignation in September 2009, no further candidates appear to have been appointed to this position.

Pathways out of Poverty

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Pathways out of Poverty (POP) is a national workforce training program that was established on August 14, 2009 by the Obama administration and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. POP targets individuals living below or near the poverty level to provide them with skills needed to enter the green job market, focusing on the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. The training programs focus on teaching basic literacy and job readiness skills. Some of the programs also provide supportive assistance with childcare and transportation to overcome barriers to employment.[25] In 2017, the Green Jobs Act allocated 20 percent of their $125 million green-collar job training budget to creating pathways out of poverty.[26]

Racial Landscape of Green Jobs

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Green jobs are disproportionately occupied by white men.[27] In 1990, minorities consisted of 1.9 percent (14 out of the 745) of workers for four of the largest environmental organizations (Natural Resources Defense Council, Friends of the Earth, Audobon Society, and Sierra Club).[28] Out of sixty-three mainstream environmental organizations, 32 percent have no minorities staffed, 22 percent have no board members of color, 19 percent have no volunteers of color, 16 percent have no members of color.[28] The demographics in green jobs is a direct reflection of the whiteness of environmentalism.[29] Environmental lawyers as well are disproportionately white and affluent, and they focus on environmental issues based on aesthetics, recreation, and protecting natural lands outside of their communities; they often do not face environmental problems in their communities.[29] Grassroots environmental activists are often from low-income communities and are people of color who face environmental discrimination due to superfund sites, landfills, incinerators and other health hazards.[29] These activists are not often employed in green jobs; they engage in activism to secure the health of their family and immediate community from health conditions and even death.[29]  

Green jobs globally

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Green job movements are happening globally.[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Green Jobs". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  2. ^ "Green Jobs". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  3. ^ a b "Green Careers". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  4. ^ Putting Renewables to Work: How Many Jobs Can the Clean Energy Industry Generate?, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), UC Berkeley, April 13, 2004 (corrected January 21, 2006) page 4 (page 2 of the PDF).
  5. ^ Study of the effects on employment of public aid to renewable energy sources, Page 1 (page 7 of the PDF), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, March 2009.
  6. ^ Furchtgott-Roth, Diana (2012). Regulating to Disaster: How Green Jobs Policies Are Damaging America's Economy. Encounter Books. p. 168. ISBN 978-1594036163.
  7. ^ NREL rebuttal to Spanish Study
  8. ^ Green Jobs – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  9. ^ US BLS: Notice of comments received and final definition of green jobs.
  10. ^ Pembina Institute. Reducing Pollution, Creating Jobs: The effects of climate policies on employment. https://www.pembina.org/pub/2178
  11. ^ "Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Hiring Freeze". whitehouse.gov. 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  12. ^ a b "Whitehouse.gov" (PDF).
  13. ^ Platzer, M.D., 2012. US solar photovoltaic manufacturing: Industry trends, global competition, federal support. Washington, DC: Congressional Research service.
  14. ^ http://www.seia.org/solar-jobs
  15. ^ Edward P. Louie and Joshua M. Pearce. Retraining Investment for U.S. Transition from Coal to Solar Photovoltaic Employment. Energy Economics. 57,295–302 (2016). doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2016.05.016
  16. ^ Solar Industry Welcomes Coal Workers With Open Arms- ‘’Huffington Post Business’’
  17. ^ Bulgarelli; et al. (2009). "Future Skill Needs for the Green Economy" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |last= (help)
  18. ^ "DSIRE". programs.dsireusa.org. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  19. ^ "Solar Industry Facts and Figures". SEIA. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  20. ^ "Solar Industry Facts and Figures". SEIA. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  21. ^ "Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)". SEIA. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  22. ^ House Committee Passes Solis' Green Jobs Act, U.S. House of Representatives, June 27, 2007. Archived 21 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Going Green: Safe and Healthy Jobs. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Accessed July 13, 2009.
  24. ^ RECOVERY.gov
  25. ^ U.S. Department of Labor. "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Pathways Out of Poverty Grants".
  26. ^ "The Truth About Green Jobs". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  27. ^ Keleher, Terry; Yen, Yvonne (November 2009). Green Equity Toolkit. Oakland, CA: Applied Research Center.
  28. ^ a b Taylor, Dorceta E. (2011). Green Jobs and the Potential to Diversify the Environmental Workforce. Michigan: University of Michigan. p. 48.
  29. ^ a b c d Cole, L. Employment as the Key to Environmental Protection: The Need for Environmental Poverty Law (1992) 19 Ecology Law Quarterly 619-683.
  30. ^ Strietska-Ilina, O., Hofmann, C., Haro, M.D. and Jeon, S., 2012. Skills for green jobs: A global view. International Labour Organisation.
  31. ^ Böhringer, C., Rivers, N.J., Rutherford, T.F. and Wigle, R., 2012. Green jobs and renewable electricity policies: employment impacts of Ontario's feed-in tariff. The BE Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, 12(1).
  32. ^ Valenti, A., Buresti, G., Rondinone, B.M., Persechino, B., Boccuni, F., Fortuna, G. and Iavicoli, S., 2015. Stakeholders’ perception of the possible implications of “green jobs” for health and safety at work in Italy. Industrial health, 53(4), p.332.
  33. ^ Yi H, Liu Y. Green economy in China: Regional variations and policy drivers. Global Environmental Change. 2015 Mar 31;31:11-9.
  34. ^ Lehr, U. and Walter, H., 2016. Assessment of Green Jobs in Dubai (No. 16-11). GWS-Institute of Economic Structures Research.
  35. ^ Lehr U, Lutz C, Edler D. Green jobs? Economic impacts of renewable energy in Germany. Energy Policy. 2012 Aug 31;47:358-64.
  36. ^ Turok IN, Borel-Saladin JM. The impact of the green economy on jobs in South Africa.
  37. ^ Baldacchino, G., 2013. Green Jobs from a Small State Perspective: Case Studies from Malta. The Round Table, 102(1), pp.105-107.
  38. ^ Gil, B.M.T., Sánchez, A.B. and Murillo, L.M., 2013. Green jobs and related policy frameworks: an overview of the European Union. Sustainlabour.
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