In this NERI Report Series No. 30, NERI economist's Paul Goldrick-Kelly and Chris Smart and NERI intern's Niccolo De Vita and Seamus McCaul focus on "green jobs". They will examine the other end of the spectrum - those occupations which are in a heavily polluting sector.
When one imagines a ‘Green’ job, they picture a solar panel installer, environmentalist, or a worker in an electric vehicle factory. While these jobs are certainly included in some definitions of “green” jobs, there are also considerable differences between definitions – reflecting different assumptions about the green economy. Everything from train drivers to chemical scientists can be classified as being a green occupation.
These definitional differences are reflected in the estimates in employment counts, and potentially policy, which aims to promote the green transition. The purpose of this report paper is to analyse the various ways of measuring what constitutes a “Green” occupation - in an Irish context – with the goal being to provide a starting point for strategic policy debate. This will allow the State to more efficiently and effectively shape policy that ensures our emission reduction obligations are met, while also protecting the people who will be affected by this transition towards a green economy.