Report: How to Meet the Moment in the Green Economic Transition

Executive Summary

Communities most impacted by the climate crisis are least likely to be integrated into solutions, but the growing green economy has the power to change that. As billions of dollars are invested towards a more sustainable future, BIPOC and system-impacted individuals should have access to lucrative green jobs that narrow the racial wealth gap and build more promising futures.

These individuals face disproportionate barriers to entering the green workforce, including a lack of awareness, insufficient training, and discriminatory cultural practices. To combat this, a holistic approach is needed to diversify the green economy:

• Start early - provide STEM and clean energy education for young students living in low-income and underrepresented communities.
• Increase access to training opportunities - offer on-the-job training and apprenticeships to upskill diverse talent and increase financial aid for pursuing certifications and advanced degrees.
• Get innovative with recruiting - employers should meet BIPOC and system-impacted talent where they are, using strategies like skills-first hiring, fair chance hiring, and internal training to increase accessibility.
• Collaborate across sectors - public-private partnerships can pool funding and resources for training programs, and establish diverse workforce standards for government-funded projects.
• Prioritize workforce development - grant proposals should target investment in disadvantaged communities by funding climate projects that create jobs and promote local economic development.

Creating economic inclusion as the green economy grows will require intentional effort from job seekers, government entities, and employers. Increasing awareness about new green job opportunities, providing targeted outreach and education to underrepresented communities, and building inclusive, innovative workforce pathways will transform the green workforce to serve those most impacted by climate change.

Read How to Meet the Moment in the Green Economic Transition here

Authored by Bella Goñi

This resource was created with the support of Indeed’s sponsorship. Learn more about Indeed’s ESG programs and partnerships at indeed.com/esg.