Green expectations: Lessons from the US green jobs market

Article

The framing of climate change and energy policy in terms of economic growth has played a key strategic role in the United States. This paper assesses the success of the 'green jobs' policy agenda in the US and investigates a range of localised, bottom-up approaches to fostering the 'green economy', reaching excluded workers and meeting environmental targets.

Despite (and perhaps because of) the absence of an overarching policy framework for tackling climate change or reducing emissions at the federal level, the United States has invested considerably in clean-energy technology and energy efficiency, with job creation and workforce development as key aims.

Leading these efforts is California, for many decades an 'early mover' in enacting environmental legislation. In March 2011, IPPR led a learning exchange that took a group of community leaders, trade union and NGO representatives to the west coast to meet with and learn from politicians, business people, academics and civil society leaders engaged in the emerging green economy.

This report draws together findings from empirical research from the learning exchange with analysis of some of the key literature in this area. It also aims to contribute to the wider debate on the future direction of energy and climate change policy in the UK.

Related items

  1. Street scene in financial district, London

    Rule of the market: How to lower UK borrowing costs

    The UK is paying a premium on its borrowing costs that ‘economic fundamentals’, such as the sustainability of its public finances, cannot fully explain. 
  2. A mother and child from behind looking out of a window

    Restoring security: Understanding the effects of removing the two-child limit across the UK

    The government’s decision to lift the two-child limit marks one of the most significant changes to the social security system in a decade.
  3. A group of healthcare professionals sitting in a staff common room in a hospital in Newcastle

    Building a healthier, wealthier Britain: Launching the IPPR Centre for Health and Prosperity

    Following the success of our Commission on Health and Prosperity, IPPR is excited to launch the Centre for Health and Prosperity.