ACF/ACTU Green Jobs in Industry Program The Green Jobs in Industry Program was established just two years ago when the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) recognised that they had a common interest in the creation of jobs which are environmentally beneficial. In the first phase of the program in 1993-94, the ACF/ACTU Green Jobs Unit undertook ground breaking surveys of current and potential employment in five environment industries: (1) energy efficiency and renewable energy; (2) waste management and clean; production; (3) recycling; (4) ecotourism; and (5) water and waste water.
Economic Impact Beyond increased energy security, the implementation of a biomass energy policy can provide positive economic benefits to the nation. The use of biomass for energy creates jobs, and the RBEP was the first federally-supported renewable energy program to attempt to quantify its economic impacts.
Employment in the Wind Industry The wind industry in 1995 employed some 30,000 people worldwide. This estimate is based on a study from the Danish Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association, which was published in 1995.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies as an Economic Development Strategy April 1996. (1.7 MB Downloadable PDF file, 113 pages). By Skip Laitner EconSkip@aol.com and Marshall Goldberg. The study finds that a modest 14 percent energy savings compared to a baseline projection in the year 2010 means an energy bill savings of $1.2 billion for Colorado ratepayers, a net gain of 8,400 jobs for the Colorado economy, and a reduction of 133,000 tons in critical air pollutants for the benefit of the Colorado environment. The latter figure is equivalent to the air pollution emitted by about 350,000 automobiles.
Energy Efficiency, Pollution Prevention, and the Bottom Line A 1997 study performed by the Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Natural Resources Defense Council, Tellus Institute, and Union of Concerned Scientists shows energy efficiency can be good for the economy, strengthening our competitive edge and creating jobs. Energy Innovations, A Prosperous Path to a Clean Environment (Energy Innovations) shows that, by following the proposed "Innovation Path," the U.S. could cut carbon dioxide emissions to ten percent below 1990 levels (Figure 1) while saving consumers money and creating additional jobs. Specifically, by 2010, national energy costs can be reduced by $530 per average household and nearly 800,000 additional jobs can be created (Figures 2 and 3). Following the "Innovation Path" would allow the industrial sector to reduce its primary energy use by 14 percent by 2010 compared to the present path. By 2030, the industrial sector could become a net electricity producer rather than a net consumer. Energy Innovations' Executive Summary is available on the web at: www.tellus.org/ei.
Green Jobs in Industry Program The Green Jobs in Industry Program was established just two years ago when the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) recognised that they had a common interest in the creation of jobs which are environmentally beneficial. The program is being conducted by the Green Jobs Unit which is based in Melbourne and funded by the Federal Department of Employment, Education & Training and the Department of Environment, Sport & Territories. In the first phase of the program in 1993-94, the ACF/ACTU Green Jobs Unit undertook ground breaking surveys of current and potential employment in five environment industries.
Greenpeace: Remove Barriers to Clean Energy There is evidence that many clean and efficient energy investments would reduce energy costs now, but are not being implemented, says Greenpeace. This is because the energy "playing field" is steeply angled against clean and efficient energy. Structural, policy and price reforms are necessary to allow Australia to meet its emissions reduction target. While such reforms might eventually cause job losses in some areas, investment in clean and efficient technology would actually generate jobs in others. According to atmosphere and energy campaigner Keith Tarlow, energy reforms are not only environmentally necessary, but could bring economic benefits in the long term.
Job Creation, Economic Development, and Sustainability A brief article on current and projected benefits of renewable energy.
Job Creation in Sustainable Energy Industries Many people remember a time when energy efficiency and renewable energy applications were pursued as the answer to national energy security and alleviation of air pollution and acid rain effects. Now that global warming has been identified society has yet another reason to shift to sustainable energy solutions. Sustainable energy industries are part of the solution to climate change. Their job creation potential is another major 'selling point', often overlooked in the debate.
Jobs That Don't Cost the Earth Unemployment is a threat to sustainability. What chance do people of this and future generations have to meet their needs if they have no livelihood? If future development is to be sustainable, our economies must keep within environmental limits and create jobs. It is therefore good news that a stream of research reports over the last few years has dispelled the myth that at a national level environmental protection costs jobs. Polluting industries will contract but job losses here will be outweighed by new jobs in more sustainable sectors. Policy makers are increasingly considering how to protect the environment and create jobs at the same time rather than making a trade-off between the two.
Opportunities for Job Growth A more recent report by the Worldwatch Institute, Jobs in a Sustainable Economy, estimates even greater job opportunities could result from making our states and communities more resource and energy efficient, and by using solar and renewable resources.
Reaping the Double Dividend - Climate Change and Jobs As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and many studies have repeatedly pointed out, there are plenty of measures which have zero or even negative costs. This suggests that early action to combat dangerous climate change would have economic as well as environmental benefits. In particular, there is good evidence that climate change abatement, rather than threatening jobs, can actually create jobs - thus promising a ‘double dividend’.
References A list of articles related to energy and job creation.
SolarFacts: Solar Jobs for Today & Tomorrow "Solar and wind power have tremendous potential to create clean jobs for the United States while reducing emissions as we enter the twenty-first century."1 - Al Gore, Vice President of the U.S. The rapidly growing, high-tech U.S. solar energy industry creates thousands of jobs for Americans. With over 60% of solar technology sales in exports, the jobs that are created stay in the U.S. and help reduce the trade deficit.
Solar Thermal Energy Technology: Potential for a Major European Industry Solar energy could be a key part of a global sustainable energy supply. European industry is in excellent position to build solar thermal plants, creating manufacturing jobs, and construction and operations jobs in some depressed regions of southern Europe. Going beyond Europe, the EU industry could assume a world leadership role and develop major export markets to North Africa and other sun-belt regions if it is given favourable policy treatment.
Sustainable Jobs Fund An association of Vermont businesses helped sustainability become law recently with the swift passage of the state's Sustainable Jobs Fund, crafted to help small, environmentally friendly businesses. Applicable statute.
Symposium on Sustainable Technology and Jobs, and Why Physicists Should Care A summary of the six talks given at an invited session at the March 1995 APS Meeting in San Jose, California. The intent of this session was to demonstrate the physics research aspects of areas of technology that are important to society because they are resource-efficient and reduce or avoid pollution. A theme in all the talks was the looming global environmental problems that necessitate increased R&D and investment in more resource-efficient technologies. The session focused on energy-efficient technologies in the end-use sectors of buildings, transportation and industry as well as on more efficient energy conversion.
The Jobs Connection: Energy Use and Local Economic Development Jobs and business activity are essential elements of a local economy and are often used to measure local economic health. Some local governments have realized the importance of "energy dollars" and how they relate to local economic health. The economic and employment impacts associated with the purchase of energy represent a potent area of opportunity for local governments. Yet many governments are not aware that energy purchases and use can have far-reaching effects on their communities' economic well-being. Some local governments are learning to better leverage their energy dollars.
Go To: Rezachek & Associates' Energy & Environmental Resources -
Value/Benefits of Renewable Energy -
General Benefits | Economic Development | Environmental Benefits
Job Creation | Promotion and Marketing/Business Development
Energy - General | Energy Conservation and Efficiency | Renewable Energy
Value/Benefits of Renewable Energy | Utility Integration of Renewables
Sustainable Development | Sustainable Tourism | Village Power/Rural Electrification
Energy Incentive Programs/Financing Alternatives
Energy Economics/Environmental Economics
Avoided Cost Determination/Externalities
Energy Facility Siting and Permitting
Energy and Environmental Education | Environmental Issues
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles | Solar Cars | Human Powered Vehicles
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David Rezachek