Green jobs, also called green-collar jobs, sustainability jobs, eco jobs, or environmental jobs, are defined by the United Nations Environment Program as jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, research, administration, and services that help protect or improve the environment. These jobs include work that helps protect ecosystems and animals, uses resources more efficiently to save energy, water, and materials, reduces carbon emissions, and prevents or limits waste and pollution. The environmental sector helps solve environmental problems while also supporting economic growth.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes green jobs as those in businesses that create products or services that help the environment or save natural resources. These jobs also include work that makes production processes more environmentally friendly or uses fewer natural resources. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has created a system to classify green jobs, which includes many types of environmental-related work. Examples include jobs in water conservation, sustainable forestry, biofuels, geothermal energy, cleaning up polluted areas, sustainability planning, energy auditors, recycling, electric vehicles, solar power, and wind energy.
These definitions include jobs that use or develop renewable energy sources, such as wind, hydropower, geothermal, landfill gas, and waste from cities. They also include jobs that improve the efficiency of energy use. Green jobs also involve education, training, and raising public awareness about environmental issues. These jobs help enforce rules, support learning, and encourage people to take actions that protect the environment.
By role
This list is not complete. It includes some common environmental jobs and some jobs that have grown quickly in recent years.
Agricultural scientists work to improve farming and agriculture. They study plants, animals, and farming methods to help farms and agriculture be more productive and sustainable. Many agricultural scientists have full-time jobs, and their earnings are above average.
Climate scientists study Earth’s climate. Scientists agree that Earth’s temperature is rising.
Conservation officers help protect the environment and natural resources. They teach communities about environmental protection and encourage people to take part. In the United States, these jobs and forester jobs are expected to grow by about 6 percent from 2016 to 2026.
Ecologists study ecosystems, which include both living and non-living parts of the environment. They examine how plants, animals, and the environment interact.
Electric car engineers use science and math to design electric vehicles. They test these designs for safety, efficiency, cost, and reliability. These engineers work in teams to build electric cars.
Environmental engineers study how human activities affect the environment. They work to reduce pollution and protect air, water, soil, and people. In 2018, this job was one of the fastest-growing environmental jobs worldwide. A university added a clean energy technology program to help graduates find jobs in this field.
Environmental scientists study the environment by testing soil, water, air, and other natural resources. They create plans to reduce harm from human activities. In 2018, this job was also one of the fastest-growing environmental jobs worldwide.
Environmental consultants advise on rules and processes for environmental programs. They help ensure that laws are followed during construction projects. In 2018, this job was listed as one of the top ten fastest-growing green jobs in Australia.
Environmental health officers work to protect public health and the environment. They help ensure that rules are followed to keep people and the environment safe. In 2018, this job was one of the fastest-growing environmental jobs in Australia.
Environmental managers oversee how companies and organizations protect the environment. They create plans to reduce negative impacts and promote sustainable development.
Foresters manage forests. They plan and care for forests to produce wood and protect the environment. In the United States, these jobs and conservation officer jobs are expected to grow by about 6 percent from 2016 to 2026.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, forests support over 86 million green jobs. About 880 million people worldwide collect fuelwood or make charcoal, many of them women. People in areas with high forest cover often live in poverty. Around 252 million people in forests and savannahs earn less than USD 1.25 per day.
Green architects design buildings that reduce harm to the environment. They help reduce waste and create buildings that are better for the climate.
Marine biologists study how ocean life interacts with coastal areas and the atmosphere. They help understand how climate change affects the ocean.
Recycling workers sort materials, operate equipment, and manage operations at recycling plants. They clean materials, move items, and ensure machines work properly.
Energy engineers study ways to produce energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, and biofuels. In 2018, this job was listed as one of the fastest-growing jobs in Australia.
Solar panel installers set up solar panels on rooftops or other areas. A non-profit organization called GRID Alternatives has created jobs and training in this field.
Urban farmers grow food in cities or towns. Green rooftops can provide local food, reducing the need for pesticides and fuel used in transporting food.
Water quality scientists ensure that water is safe for people and the environment. They test groundwater, surface water, and drinking water to meet global standards.
Wind technicians install, inspect, and repair wind turbines. They fix problems to keep turbines working properly. This job has grown quickly in recent years.
By country
Eco-innovation helps create jobs that protect the environment around the world. It increases how much work is done and how much workers earn, while also making energy and environmental production more efficient.
In 2018, Australia produced 21 percent of its total power from renewable energy sources. This sector provided more than 20,000 jobs.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2016, Brazil had 934,000 jobs in renewable energy, the second-highest number globally. Brazil leads the world in liquid biofuels, with 845,000 jobs in this area. It also had 41,000 jobs in solar energy, 36,000 in wind power, and 12,000 in small hydroelectric power. A 2018 IRENA report showed Brazil had the largest workforce in liquid biofuels and 893,000 workers in all renewable energy jobs. In 2011, green jobs in the United States totaled 3.1 million, or 2.4 percent of total employment in 2010, and 3.4 million, or 2.6 percent of total employment in 2010.
China produces the most solar energy equipment worldwide and is the largest market for installing solar panels. In 2018, China accounted for about two-thirds of all solar energy jobs globally, or 2.2 million jobs. In 2017, China had 3.8 million jobs in the entire renewable energy sector.
Until 2018, the United States was the leading country for installing solar panels, but it was later overtaken by China, India, and Japan. In 2018, Germany had 332,000 workers in its renewable energy sector.
A 2009 report by the Copenhagen Climate Council’s Thought Leadership Series stated that Japanese companies make up 26 percent of the global solar panel market and that the solar industry does not rely on government subsidies. A 2014 IRENA report showed Japanese solar jobs increased by 28 percent. In 2016, Japan had 377,100 workers in solar jobs, including direct and indirect labor. In 2016, Japan had 3,000 jobs in liquid biofuels, 5,000 in wind power, 700 in solar heating and cooling, and 2,000 in geothermal energy. In 2017, Japan’s slowing economy reduced solar jobs to 272,000 from 302,000 in 2016.
In 2010, a survey found 3.1 million green jobs in the United States, which made up 2.4 percent of all jobs. A 2017 report by the Bureau of Land Management stated that wind turbine service technicians are expected to be the fastest-growing job in the United States between 2017 and 2024, with a projected growth of 108 percent.
President Reagan once said, “Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.” While in California, Reagan supported environmental protection, as many residents there cared about the environment. A book called The Enduring Wilderness noted that Reagan signed 43 laws to protect 10.6 million acres of wilderness across 31 states. Reagan also allowed the use of 20 million acres of national land for coal, oil, and gas development.
The Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal policy introduced in 2005 to support green energy. It allows individuals and companies to claim a 30 percent tax credit for investments in solar, wind, and fuel cell technologies. The ITC was extended multiple times, with the most recent extension in 2015. The credit will remain at 30 percent until 2019, then decrease to 26 percent in 2020 and 22 percent in 2021. After 2021, commercial credits will drop to 10 percent, and residential credits will reach 0 percent. The Solar Energy Industries Association says the ITC helped the U.S. solar industry grow since 2006. Solar industry costs have dropped, and the industry is expected to employ over 420,000 people by 2020—nearly double the 260,000 workers in 2016—and contribute $30 billion to the U.S. economy each year.
President Obama promised to create 5 million new green jobs in the United States. His plan included the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which proposed a cap-and-trade system to fund clean energy technology and create jobs. The bill passed in the House but was not debated in the Senate. In 2013, the federal government stopped tracking green jobs, making it harder to measure job growth.
Although it is unclear if Obama met his 5 million job goal, there was significant growth during his administration. In March 2016, a group called Environmental Entrepreneurs reported 2.5 million clean energy jobs in the United States, including 77,088 jobs in wind energy. Solar jobs also increased, with a 20 percent growth rate for three years in a row, according to the 2015 National Solar Census.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), passed in 2009, included provisions to create jobs in energy, utilities, construction, and manufacturing, focusing on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly practices.
In March 2009, President Obama appointed Van Jones as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Jones resigned in September 2009, and no one else was appointed to this role.
On January 23, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order to freeze hiring for government positions and halt $4 billion in annual grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The freeze was later lifted, but Trump said he wanted to “drastically cut” the EPA. Myron Ebell, a former Trump transition team member, suggested cutting the EPA budget in half during an interview.
In the 2018 “Make America Great Again Blueprint,” the Trump administration proposed reducing EPA funding by 31 percent and stopping funding for the Clean Power Plan, international climate programs, and climate research initiatives.
Policy
In 2008, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the International Employers Organization (IEO) started the Green Jobs Initiative together. This program aims to help workers, employers, and governments work together to create fair opportunities for green jobs as the world moves toward a greener economy.
The idea of a just transition began in the 1980s when U.S. trade unions tried to protect workers’ rights as economies changed to focus on sustainable production. This concept has grown over time and is now part of global agreements, including the Paris Agreement from 2015. A just transition connects energy changes with fair ways to reduce carbon emissions while supporting broader goals for development. As of 2022, 38 out of 170 countries included just transition strategies in their short-term climate plans.
In 2008, $8 million was used to collect and measure data about green-collar jobs and green economic activity. This work was done by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy and Commerce, and the Employment and Training Administration. Methods included surveys of businesses that produce green goods and services, gathering data on employment and wages, and organizing information by job type and industry.
Data collection about Green Goods and Services (GGS) jobs stopped in 2013 because of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act. This law ended all U.S. government programs that measured green jobs.
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847) was introduced by Representatives Hilda Solis (D-CA) and John Tierney (D-MA). It allowed up to $125 million to create job training programs for green industries, such as energy-efficient buildings, renewable power, and biofuels. This act was included in the Energy Independence and Security Act passed in December 2007.
Pathways out of Poverty (POP) is a national workforce training program started on August 14, 2009, by the Obama administration. It was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. POP helps people living below or near the poverty level gain skills for green jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The program teaches basic literacy and job readiness skills and sometimes provides help with childcare and transportation.
The Mentoring and Training Through Partnerships (MTTP) program offers job training to low-income, job-insecure young people aged 18–24 who have a high school diploma or GED. In 2009, graduates of MTTP received full-time salaries twice the New York State minimum wage of $7.25, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Forest Service. A study of 16 employed graduates found that 75% were male, 25% were female, 81% were Black, 19% were Brown, 75% had a high school diploma, 19% had a GED, and 6% had attended some high school. Most graduates who received personal support stayed in their green jobs, but not all had support networks.
Demographics
The Green Equity Toolkit by Race Forward states that white men are more likely to have green jobs. In the past, the environmental movement was mostly led by white, middle- and upper-class people. In 1990, only 1.9% (14 out of 745) of workers at four major environmental groups—Natural Resources Defense Council, Friends of the Earth, Audubon Society, and Sierra Club—were from minority backgrounds. Of 63 mainstream environmental organizations, 32% had no minority staff, 22% had no board members of color, 19% had no volunteers of color, and 16% had no members of color. A 1992 journal in the Ecology Law Quarterly noted that white people are more likely to have green jobs because these jobs often focus on environmental issues that do not directly affect low-income people or people of color. Environmental lawyers, who are mostly white, middle- and upper-class, often work on issues like protecting natural lands or improving the appearance of areas outside their communities. They rarely face environmental problems in their own neighborhoods. Low-income communities and people of color, who often deal with pollution and health risks, may not have the chance or ability to pursue green jobs because of immediate dangers in their areas. Instead, they often work with local groups to stop harm from sources like landfills, incinerators, and toxic waste sites.
A 2014 report titled The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations said that racial diversity in environmental groups has increased over the past 50 years, but the progress has been slow. People of color make up 38% of the U.S. population but are less than 16% of the staff in 191 conservation groups, 74 government agencies, and 28 environmental foundations studied. Minority employees are more likely to hold lower-level jobs, and fewer than 13% are in leadership roles. Few environmental organizations have managers or committees focused on diversity, or work with groups that support low-income or minority communities. These organizations rarely recruit from schools or groups that train many minority professionals. Minority interns are also less likely to be hired than white interns. Promotions in environmental organizations often go to white women.
Green jobs and workforce education
The National Council for Workforce Education and AED published a report titled "Going Green: The Vital Role of Community Colleges in Building a Sustainable Future and Green Workforce." This report explains how community colleges and workforce education programs help create jobs in renewable and clean energy. It includes examples of current programs across the country and provides guidance on how to start similar programs.
The nuclear power industry is also growing and helping to create jobs in the green energy sector. A report from the World Nuclear Association in July 2020, titled "Employment in the Nuclear and Wind Electricity Generating Sectors," shows that a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 100 gigawatts might employ more than three times as many workers as a wind power plant with the same energy output. These findings show that the nuclear industry offers many opportunities for green jobs. Green jobs are valuable because they help solve the climate crisis and often provide good pay and benefits. Nuclear power, in particular, can create thousands of long-term, high-skill jobs in local areas.
When unemployment is high and the economy is struggling, workers need skills that match the needs of their local areas. Ken Warden, an administrator in workforce education, says, "Instead of making green jobs we need to make jobs green."
There are many types of jobs in the solar industry. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has a resource for people looking for solar jobs. A 2016 study suggests that workers in the coal industry could be retrained for jobs in the solar industry. Some reports indicate that the solar industry is happy to welcome workers from the coal industry.
For the forest sector, a group called the Team of Specialists (ToS), made up of experts from the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), identified 19 areas of work and listed 30 examples of green jobs in the forestry field.