Green Jobs Fact Sheet
What is a green job?
“Green jobs” or “green-collar jobs”, which contribute to better environmental outcomes or increased sustainability, are set to boom in the 21st century as we move towards a global low carbon economy. Green-collar jobs range from low-skill, entry-level positions to high-skill, higher-paid jobs, and include opportunities for advancement in both skills and wages.
Are Green Jobs niche jobs?
No. Green jobs were initially considered “niche” because they filled specific roles such as eco-tourism or recycling. However, now, as we move to a low carbon economy, all of our workplaces can be cleaner and greener and most jobs will need to become a “shade of green”.
Below are some examples of Green Jobs. More detailed case studies are available at www.acfonline.org.au/GreenCollarJobs
What about Green Jobs overseas?
Green Jobs are a hot topic internationally.
There are great opportunities for green jobs and industries in a booming clean economy. We can lead in solar, green buildings and in smarter use of energy and resources. According to CSIRO economic modelling, 2.7 million new jobs will be created in Australia by 2025 if we set course to become carbon neutral by 2050. Many will be green jobs.
But what will happen to workers in “carbon intensive” industries?
It’s a myth that action on climate change will destroy Australian jobs. Creating green jobs is not about shutting down ‘dirty’ industries, but re-skilling (and ‘re-tooling’) them for cleaner production. According to CSIRO, 560,000 new jobs will be created in high environmental impact industries (like manufacturing and heavy industry) by 2025 - if Australia sets course to become carbon neutral by 2050.
How do we create more Green Collar Jobs in Australia?
We need to make sure that our workforce has the know-how to capitalise on new opportunities. We need to make sure workers are given the right skills and training for the 21st century. ACF, along with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), and The Climate Institute (all part of the Southern Cross Climate Coalition), is calling for national leadership to promote the creation of Green Jobs:
There is a real danger that Australia will be left behind the international market if we don’t develop the right skills base - Australia already has a shortage of ‘tradies’ with the skills to install solar and water saving technologies. If we don’t have skilled trades people, we can’t put solar panels on roofs. We don’t want to miss out. Twenty years ago Australia was a leader in solar technologies. But we failed to support the industry and our best and brightest went overseas. For example, David Mills developed solar thermal technologies in Australia in the 1990s, but moved his solar thermal company, Ausra, to California where it was much easier to raise capital and strong government incentives were in place.
What impact will weak action on climate change have on jobs and our economy?
According to the Garnaut Climate Change Review delaying action will cost our economy and our workforce heavily. With no action on climate change we would lose 12% of projected growth in real wages, and 10% of GNP.
How do I get a green job?
More green jobs roles are emerging in print and online job media and will continue to do so. Useful websites include: www.environmentaljobs.com.au; www.envirojobs.com.au; www.nrmjobs.com.au; www.envirolinkrecruitment.com.au; www.sjobs.com.au and www.greenskills.com.au.
Industry bodies or associations can provide information on training and skills required to work in specific areas such as www.greenplumbers.com.au and www.ecosmartelectricians.com.au.
While still learning about green skills courses, school career advisors should provide students with the most up-to-date information on new green education, training and job opportunities.
Where do I find out more?
ACF is actively working with unions, the education and training sector and business to promote opportunities for Green Collar Jobs in Australia. To find out more, visit:
www.acfonline.org.au/GreenCollarJobs
“Green jobs” or “green-collar jobs”, which contribute to better environmental outcomes or increased sustainability, are set to boom in the 21st century as we move towards a global low carbon economy. Green-collar jobs range from low-skill, entry-level positions to high-skill, higher-paid jobs, and include opportunities for advancement in both skills and wages.
Are Green Jobs niche jobs?
No. Green jobs were initially considered “niche” because they filled specific roles such as eco-tourism or recycling. However, now, as we move to a low carbon economy, all of our workplaces can be cleaner and greener and most jobs will need to become a “shade of green”.
Below are some examples of Green Jobs. More detailed case studies are available at www.acfonline.org.au/GreenCollarJobs
“Deeper Green”
Renewable energy - invention, manufacturing, distribution, installation
Water savings and recycling - Green Plumbers and new water saving infrastructure
Sustainable, water-smart farming and forestry
Green design, building and construction
Green services in auditing, accrediting, accounting, banking and trading
Public transport and clean car design, construction, manufacture and operation
Renewable energy - invention, manufacturing, distribution, installation
Water savings and recycling - Green Plumbers and new water saving infrastructure
Sustainable, water-smart farming and forestry
Green design, building and construction
Green services in auditing, accrediting, accounting, banking and trading
Public transport and clean car design, construction, manufacture and operation
"Lighter Green"
Purchasing officers who implement a sustainable purchasing policy
Office managers who help reduce energy waste
Mining workers who help save fuel or rehabilitate land
A building cleaner who uses environmentally friendly products and reduces waste
A chef who chooses locally grown, environmentally-friendly produce
Purchasing officers who implement a sustainable purchasing policy
Office managers who help reduce energy waste
Mining workers who help save fuel or rehabilitate land
A building cleaner who uses environmentally friendly products and reduces waste
A chef who chooses locally grown, environmentally-friendly produce
What about Green Jobs overseas?
Green Jobs are a hot topic internationally.
- Both 2008 US Presidential candidates have spoken about Green Jobs, with Barack Obama pledging to create 5 million new Green Jobs
- Germany’s renewable energy workforce grew from 160,000 to 236,000 in just two years between 2004 and 2006, after they strengthened their renewable energy laws
- The UK plans to create 1 million new Green Jobs, primarily in manufacturing green technologies. They estimate that the clean energy sector alone could create up to 260,000 jobs over the next ten years.
There are great opportunities for green jobs and industries in a booming clean economy. We can lead in solar, green buildings and in smarter use of energy and resources. According to CSIRO economic modelling, 2.7 million new jobs will be created in Australia by 2025 if we set course to become carbon neutral by 2050. Many will be green jobs.
But what will happen to workers in “carbon intensive” industries?
It’s a myth that action on climate change will destroy Australian jobs. Creating green jobs is not about shutting down ‘dirty’ industries, but re-skilling (and ‘re-tooling’) them for cleaner production. According to CSIRO, 560,000 new jobs will be created in high environmental impact industries (like manufacturing and heavy industry) by 2025 - if Australia sets course to become carbon neutral by 2050.
How do we create more Green Collar Jobs in Australia?
We need to make sure that our workforce has the know-how to capitalise on new opportunities. We need to make sure workers are given the right skills and training for the 21st century. ACF, along with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), and The Climate Institute (all part of the Southern Cross Climate Coalition), is calling for national leadership to promote the creation of Green Jobs:
- Skills Australia to lead a national Green Jobs and Skills Program.
- At least 40,000 green job training opportunities to be allocated from the Federal Government’s Productivity Places Program by 2010
- Australia’s universities, TAFE and training sectors to create ‘green collar partnerships’
- Allocation of immediate funds for Green Jobs programs, to be boosted from 2010 with a proportion of revenue from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
There is a real danger that Australia will be left behind the international market if we don’t develop the right skills base - Australia already has a shortage of ‘tradies’ with the skills to install solar and water saving technologies. If we don’t have skilled trades people, we can’t put solar panels on roofs. We don’t want to miss out. Twenty years ago Australia was a leader in solar technologies. But we failed to support the industry and our best and brightest went overseas. For example, David Mills developed solar thermal technologies in Australia in the 1990s, but moved his solar thermal company, Ausra, to California where it was much easier to raise capital and strong government incentives were in place.
What impact will weak action on climate change have on jobs and our economy?
According to the Garnaut Climate Change Review delaying action will cost our economy and our workforce heavily. With no action on climate change we would lose 12% of projected growth in real wages, and 10% of GNP.
How do I get a green job?
More green jobs roles are emerging in print and online job media and will continue to do so. Useful websites include: www.environmentaljobs.com.au; www.envirojobs.com.au; www.nrmjobs.com.au; www.envirolinkrecruitment.com.au; www.sjobs.com.au and www.greenskills.com.au.
Industry bodies or associations can provide information on training and skills required to work in specific areas such as www.greenplumbers.com.au and www.ecosmartelectricians.com.au.
While still learning about green skills courses, school career advisors should provide students with the most up-to-date information on new green education, training and job opportunities.
Where do I find out more?
ACF is actively working with unions, the education and training sector and business to promote opportunities for Green Collar Jobs in Australia. To find out more, visit:
www.acfonline.org.au/GreenCollarJobs