Advancing inclusion through Clean Energy Jobs

Abstract

In the face of a changing climate, rising sea levels, and various national security concerns, market forces—assisted by public policy—continue to shift key portions of the American economy away from carbon-intensive, fossil fuel driven activities toward cleaner, more efficient, and higher-output ones, especially through greater energy efficiency and more use of renewable energy sources. Consumers are changing their behavior and increasingly seeking greener alternatives as new products flood the marketplace. Businesses are launching new innovations, shifting production schedules, and bringing cleaner products and services to the market to serve them. And with the recent promotion by climate activists of an ambitious Green New Deal, fiery policy debates have broken out in Congress over the need for investments in clean-energy jobs and infrastructure. As a result, big changes in consumption patterns, manufacturing processes, the power sector, and regulatory affairs—all related to the shift to reduced carbon emissions—have become some of the highest-profile, most-debated trends of the decade. The resulting analysis projects great promise for the U.S. labor market and household opportunity as the clean energy economy transitions continues to push forward. Yet delivering economy-wide prosperity based on the inclusive nature of many clean energy economy occupations will require a more concerted effort to ensure all individuals can fill these jobs.