We are focusing on wrong ‘green jobs’ for the future
Facts and myths abound about the shiny new job of the future — the “green job.” Yes, these new green jobs will transform the job market, drive innovation, eliminate harmful emissions and change the world. But if we allow the myths surrounding green jobs to blind us, we will miss our chance to both eliminate harmful greenhouse gas emissions and to continue providing high-paying, transformative jobs.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we must focus on making all sources of energy cleaner, and stop pretending that fossil fuels’ role in supplying the world’s energy needs is going away anytime soon. That’s the fundamental error behind the two-fold myths clouding our understanding of the “green job” and until we see that clearly, our efforts to save the planet will be misguided.
One part of the myth would have us believe that all we need is renewable electricity and we can keep all fossil fuels in the ground. And two, that the renewable wind, solar and battery jobs are high-paying substitutes for those “dirty” hydrocarbon jobs. These are not only myths, but a destructive way to view the most effective path to transition and eliminate GHG emissions.
In the popular lexicon, green jobs are generally viewed exclusively as jobs to do with wind turbines, solar panels and batteries. That limited definition is based on a narrative that renewables must be the only solution for the new green future. That’s a myth. It is overly simplistic and a dumbed-down premise that is false and misleading.
We are in a transition to transform our energy system that is today over 80 percent reliant on fossil fuels and our aspiration is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This cannot be solved by the elimination of fossil fuel energy by 2050. Rather, we must eliminate emissions from all energy sources in that time frame. The world’s demand for energy is growing rapidly and we require more energy and advanced technologies — not fewer choices. Bill Gates has recognized that eliminating fossil fuels is an impractical aspiration and only through technology can we achieve net zero. It’s the emissions — not the fuels.
The answer to the first myth is very simple: carbon management to eliminate the emissions is the best pathway for success. The entire energy industry must be transformed to reduce emissions impacts, especially the hydrocarbon industries, but not by eliminating jobs in the industry — rather, by re-imagining them.
The hydrocarbon industry generates large amounts of emissions, no doubt. It also produces, reliably and affordably, the fuels for transportation, the plastics and chemicals that have made everyday goods, food and medical packaging so advanced and safe. This industry must generate the new energy of the future such as hydrogen, and other fuels. We cannot focus simply on renewable electricity as we have a myriad of energy challenges that will require solutions beyond electrification to achieve this energy transition. De-carbonization of these industries will not only be the jobs of the transformed industry, but also help us the most to reduce emissions and advance our global leadership. These are the real green jobs!
What about the second myth? It suggests wind, solar and battery jobs are high-paying substitutes for the elimination of those “dirty’ hydrocarbon jobs. In fact, they pay far less for both engineering and manufacturing jobs. The skill level and necessary education for the hydrocarbon process industries, especially a decarbonized hydrocarbon industry, is greater as well.
We must recognize that efficiency improvements in process technologies, carbon capture utilization and storage, decarbonized hydrogen, and carbon-free baseload electricity are all critical technologies and jobs in the energy transition. The drive for emissions reductions by the hydrocarbon industries to achieve net zero will require these highly technical jobs, skilled workers, and high-paying opportunities for incoming new hires. It will also require raising the skills of the existing workforce. The assembly and manufacturing of renewable hardware is not anywhere close to being the “high-paying substitutes” as is claimed. Not so very long ago, the U.S. was the world’s leading manufacturer of solar panels and is now a distant laggard to Asian countries.
So, let’s embrace the future. Let’s go green and lead the world. Let’s not get caught up in some political patter about eliminating the jobs in hydrocarbons that are and will be high tech, high paying, and high impact for the energy transition. Since when must we eliminate to grow? Keep your eye on the real ball of emissions reduction — transform the energy system — and do it with real global technology and business leadership.