Growing a green collar economy

'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.

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Dinosaurs it's time to evolve!

Help these dinosaurs 'evolve'.

Help these dinosaurs 'evolve'.

Dinosaurs in politics and big business are blocking the creation of clean energy jobs for Australians. Together with other national organisations, we have launched a new campaign to help these dinosaurs ‘evolve’ and to support strong action on climate change. more »

Economic stimulus and green collar jobs

Installing ceiling insulation batts (photo credit: Clean Energy Council)

Installing ceiling insulation batts (photo credit: Clean Energy Council)

The Government passed the Nation Building & Jobs Plan, a $42 billion economic stimulus package. ACF has welcomed aspects of this package, especially the $3.8 billion for household insulation and the solar hot water program. more »

Time for a green new deal

Don Henry and Sharan Burrow launch the Southern Cross Climate Coalition. Photo by Phil Freeman

Don Henry and Sharan Burrow launch the Southern Cross Climate Coalition. Photo by Phil Freeman

As the Government prepares to spend up big to stimulate the economy to avoid the looming recession, what lessons from the current economic crisis should inform our response? This stimulus could be the basis for a “green new deal” for Australia. more »

Green gold rush for green collar jobs

Manufacturing bioplastics at Plantic Technologies' Melbourne plant

Manufacturing bioplastics at Plantic Technologies' Melbourne plant

In this time of economic uncertainty, one of the few good news stories is the prospects for the growth of green industry. Action on climate change will promote green jobs and business, and help secure Australia’s economic prosperity. more »

Climate change action to create 3m green collar jobs

Duncan Macgregor of Going Solar installing solar panels

Duncan Macgregor of Going Solar installing solar panels

Australia can take strong action to tackle climate change and create millions of new job opportunities, according to a major report released by ACF. more »

A world of opportunities - green collar jobs

Image by katerba (flickr)

Image by katerba (flickr)

Green Collar Jobs are a hot topic around the world. The United Nations and International Labour Organisation launched a Green Jobs Initiative in September 2008 which contained a comprehensive survey of the outlook for Green Jobs. more »


Clean Energy Jobs

Green collar jobs: case studies

#11 David McGrory, Mining Electrician and Fitter

David McGrory, mining electrician and fitter

Working in the heat and dust of a large mining operation in the remote lower Gulf region of north-west Queensland may not at first glance appear much of a ‘green’ job.


#10 Bruno Gerrits, Business Development, Australian Climate Exchange

Bruno Gerrits, Australian Climate Exchange

At the start of 2008 Bruno Gerrits, 36, knew as much about sustainability and carbon trading as the next person. But then he started working for the Australian Climate Exchange (ACX).


#9 Rob McGregor, General Foreman, Construction

ANZ building - LendLease

Rob McGregor, the general foreman at the site where ANZ’s new $512 million headquaters is being built, oversees 500 construction workers, a number which will swell to 900 at the project’s peak.


#8 Marie Sharp, Bus Driver

Queensland bus driver Marie Sharp- credit Mt Gravatt Coach and Travel

On any given school day, Brisbane bus driver Marie Sharp can be found completing a 120-kilometre round-trip as she collects and drops off students from four of Brisbane’s private schools.


#7 Katherine Cocks: Local Council Environmental Education Officer

Katherine Cocks at Stonnington's new depot and waste transfer station

Katherine Cocks is taking the message to many schools throughout the city of Stonnington, in Melbourne’s inner east, and to many thousands of local residents, business people and fellow council workers.


#6 David Shakhovskoy: Sustainable Energy Drilling Engineer

Stabbing the 473 mm casing together for Habanero 3 - credit Geodynamics Limited

After working for oil services companies and spending three years overseas on an oil drilling rig, David Shakhovskoy decided to move into geothermal energy – where power is generated by piping water through hot rocks deep below the earth’s surface.


#5 Lyn Beinat: Home Energy Audit

The ecoMaster team protect a doorway against heat loss. Courtesy of ecoMaster.

Lyn Beinat’s business, ecoMaster, co-founded with husband Maurice has seen extraordinary growth. Lyn and her team conduct assessments of home energy use, produce a full report and a green retrofit action plan and ecoMaster’s teams of trained personnel then provide a full installation service.


#4 Shaun Blackie: wind farm supervisor, Pacific Hydro

Shaun Blackie at Pacific Hydro's Challicum Hills wind farm. Photo Pacific Hydro

When the 220,000 volts generated by the windmills at Pacific Hydro’s newest wind farm project near Portland need to be switched off, Shaun Blackie is the person to do it. Shaun, a wind farm supervisor, was previously employed as a line worker for Powercor and is now in his fifth year at Pacific Hydro.


#3 Kathy Ramaekers: cycle store owner/manager

Bikes to suit all uses and lifestyles: Kathy Ramaekers at her Melbourne bicycle shop.

In 17 years Kathy Ramaekers has noticed a substantial increase in sales at the Melbourne Bicycle Centre, Prahran.


#2 Mark Branson: sustainable agriculture farmer

Mark Branson, sustainable agriculture farmer

Crop production has been revolutionised in the past 15 years due to the need for environmental sustainability.


#1 Duncan Macgregor: solar photovoltaic team leader, Going Solar

Duncan Macgregor

About three times a week Duncan Macgregor can be found installing solar electrical systems on Melbourne’s rooftops.