Without a doubt, we are moving toward a future of sustainability. As governments around the world recognize the importance of environmentally friendly decision making, their labor markets are opening themselves up to candidates who embrace the concept and contribute their skill sets to this emphasis.
There has never been a better time to find a green job. But what career actually qualifies under that moniker? Where can you find these jobs, which countries offer the best opportunities and circumstances for employment, and which regions are still lacking? That’s what this post will explore in-depth.
What are Green Jobs?
According to the United Nation’s Environment Program, the term ‘green job’ applies to career paths that
Work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality.
That definition, according to UNEP, includes any jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, de-carbonize the economy, minimize and avoid waste and pollution generation, and reduce energy, material, and water consumption by developing more highly efficient strategies.
Examples of green jobs can vary widely. Natural scientists are just as relevant in this category as solar cell technicians, water quality technicians, and green builders. In other words, it describes any job that helps to benefit the environment.
The Rise of Green Jobs Around the World
Given an increased public and private awareness of the need for sustainability, it’s no surprise that on a global level, green jobs have been on the rise for quite some time. According to a 2012 report by the International Labour Organization, at least 1.5 billion workers, compromising half of the global workforce, are now directly affected by the transition to a greener economy.
Of course, not everyone affected is actually employed in what UNEP determines to be a green job. At the same time, we have seen a 21 percent annual growth across the globe in this sector over the past few years, with some estimates expecting up to 60 million global green jobs to be available within the next few years.
What Countries Have Embraced Green Jobs?
Interestingly, we are seeing developing nations lead the charge in green job growth over the last few years. China, for instance, is estimated to currently employ 10 million workers in the recycling and remanufacturing sector alone. Meanwhile, Brazil and Egypt are two other nations where green jobs have been on the rise, with future employment in the category seeing a significant uptick.
That’s not to say developed nations are falling behind. As Business Insider pointed out earlier this year,solar energy-related jobs in the United States are growing 12 times as fast as the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, one report estimates wind turbine technicians to be the fastest-growing profession in the United States. We’re seeing similar trends across Europe, where full-time employment in the environmental economy across the 28 member states of the European Union has almost doubled since 2000.
Which Countries Are Still Lacking?
Of course, the growth of green jobs is not linear across the globe. Great Britain, for instance, remains one of the lowest producers of sustainable energy in Europe. Some developing countries are also lagging behind in green job creation, while others indicate a lack of progression thanks to continued reliance on less environmentally-friendly resources such as oil.
These examples, of course, are beginning to become outliers amidst an undeniable global trend. Green jobs are beginning to dominate the economies of entire countries across continents. Their continued growth makes them bigger factors in attracting both domestic and international applicants. If the projections are correct and the growth continues, even laggers will find it essential to emphasize environmental sustainability in their labor market in order to remain competitive.
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