According to a groundbreaking study establishing a national Green Jobs Index, the U.S. economy currently generates more than 750,000 green jobs–a number that is projected to grow five-fold to more than 4.2 million jobs over the next three decades. The report, released Thursday by The U.S. Conference of Mayors, is the first calculation of its kind to measure how many direct and indirect jobs are in the new and emerging U.S. green economy.
"This report proves that being green is not optional, it is necessary for a healthy and robust economy," said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. "Creating green jobs is an investment we must continue to make."
Prepared by Global Insight, Inc, the report found that over half (419,000) of current green jobs were found in the category of Engineering, Legal, Research and Consulting, highlighting the important role supportive or "indirect" jobs play in moving the economy toward energy independence. The second largest category was Renewable Energy Jobs (127,000 jobs), followed by Agriculture and Forestry providing a significant contribution of 57,500 jobs.
Under assumed scenarios and with government commitment and investments, the report projects green jobs could contribute 10% of new jobs through 2038, representing the fastest growing job segment in the U.S. economy. By 2038, the report forecasts that renewable electricity production will create 1.23 million jobs; alternative transportation fuels 1.5 million jobs; engineering, legal, research and consulting positions will be more than 1.4 million; and commercial and residential retrofits at 81,000 jobs, for a total of 4.2 million.
Current green jobs are well distributed across the country. Approximately 85% are located in metropolitan areas, while the remaining are found in non-metro counties.
The top ten metros with the highest number of green jobs account for 23% of all green jobs nationally. New York ranks first, with 25,021 jobs, followed by Washington, D.C. (24,287); Houston (21,250); and Los Angeles (20,136). The report contains a listing of green jobs in all 363 U.S. metro areas.
"We can now measure and show how green jobs and climate protection go hand in hand," said Conference Vice President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. "This gives us a glimpse into the future and the sizable economic benefits that will come from a green economy."
Nickels spearheaded a national climate protection movement, with nearly 890 mayors signing the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement committing their cities to the goal of meeting the Kyoto Protocols for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Mayors Climate Protection Center plans to periodically release updates on green jobs creation in the U.S. and to analyze the impact of various legislative proposals on long-term job patterns.
For its Green Jobs Forecast, the report assumes the following:
— By 2038, 40% of the electricity generated in the U.S. will come from alternative resources (an estimated: 30% from wind; 20% from solar; 10% from incremental hydropower; 10% from geothermal; and 30% from biomass);
— Residential and commercial retrofitting will occur at a level that results in a 35% reduction in electricity use in existing buildings over the next three decades; and
— By 2038, 30% of gasoline and diesel demand for passenger cars and light trucks will be satisfied by alternative fuels.
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