Green collar jobs is the new phrase being used by politicians all over the world in an attempt to bring hope amidst redundancies and nose diving economies.
In the UK the Treasury expects the economy to shrink by 1.2% with the global economy looking just as gloomy. Where there is gloom however it is human nature to look for opportunity – and politicians are looking at combating climate change as providing the platform for this opportunity.
Barack Obama started on the green collar job band-wagon running up to the US elections and talking about the economic recovery package this week said “Because of what we did, companies – large and small – that produce renewable energy can now apply for loan guarantees and tax credits and find ways to grow, instead of laying people off; and families can lower their energy bills by weatherizing their homes.”
South Korea and Japan have also announced packages to stimulate a green economy committing to providing enough funding to create 100,000 and 1 million jobs respectively. Germany already has a well developed green energy sector with 249,300 people employed in renewable energy in 2007 (84,300 in wind energy) especially in small and medium sized companies. Germany is already home to renewable energy technology manufacturing companies such as Nordex, Repower and Enercon. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology even has the slogan “renewables made in Germany” as the head banner on its website.
The UK government is investing in research and development for new energy technologies however without a clear strategy for green growth it is at risk of not keeping up with global momentum. Quick decisions on ways to help short term financing issues for big infrastructure opportunities such as offshore wind energy need to be made to create a sizeable green collar job market. The UK needs to be dynamic and flexible – manufacturers will only be attracted to countries which offer good economic incentives such as tax credits and an efficient planning system.
Sean Keller
February 23rd, 2009
We’ve had a green collar jobs board up at our site http://www.greencollareconomy.com for the past year and we also supply a huge directory of green companies. We believe this revolution is just beginning and want to thank you for posting this and supporting the green movement.
CharlieO
February 25th, 2009
One of the best sites I found for jobs in the UK is http://www.environmentjob.co.uk/
I think that the responsibility for direction from government rests firmly with the newly formed DECC. I’d like to see departments like this filled with renewable energy experts, people with professional and academic knowledge and experience, not just ambitious young civil servants.
We need clear leadership and clear direction to stimulate growth in the sector, to encourage private investment and create jobs. Germany and Denmark set themselves on this course in the wake of the Peak Oil crisis in the 70s, the US under Obama are plotting a similar course now. The UK must do the same, the government must underwrite financial risks for projects like the London Array and Severn Barrage to encourage private investment in the country.
Political and environmental goals can be achieved by making our direction clear (and making important infrastructure decisions) in the next few months, in advance of CoP15 in Copenhagen.