Resources

Chicago’s Clean Energy Future (2020) by The University of Illinois Chicago Economic Development Administration University Center

This report examines major findings related to the size of the green economy, occupational distribution and concentration, and inclusion in the green economy. Results are presented for the nation, the 14-county Chicago Region, and Cook County.

Sizing Up Our Region’s Green Economy (2017) by The University of Illinois Chicago Economic Development Administration University Center

This report provides data on the size and growth rate of the green/clean economy for Cook County, the Chicago Region, and the U.S. as a whole from 2005 to 2015. In addition to tracking employment and establishment figures for different geographies in different segments of the clean economy, the report also focuses on measures of regional specialization and growth performance.

A review on Green Manufacturing: It’s important, Methodology and its Application (2014)  by I.D.Paula, G.P.Bholeb, and J.R.Chaudhari

The paper gives the survey of green manufacturing, what is green manufacturing why it is needed and methods of green manufacturing that reduces the waste and even pollution. The paper focus on the green design for environment of green manufacturing system, energy conservation, development of product with less wastage. The paper also highlights the use of green manufacturing to form a sustainable product and to reuse the product, shorter life cycle.

Production and Marketing Practices and Trade Flows in the United States Green Industry (2014)  by the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

This report presents information on production and marketing practices and trade flows for U.S. ornamental plant grower and dealer firms.

Green Jobs Metrics: A Guide to Efforts to Quantify the Green Economy (2012)  by Headwaters Economics

Economic claims about various energy strategies today are receiving considerable media attention. Many policymakers and interest groups promote energy policies and projects in terms of “simple” job creation numbers. However, job creation estimates and projections are anything but simple. This paper offers an overview of efforts to quantify the national green economy in terms of job creation.

Cleantech Matters: Global Competitiveness Cleantech Insights and Trends Report (2012)  by Ernest & Young Global Cleantech Center

This report provides insight into different facets of the cleantech market, interviews with leading cleantech executives, roundtable discussions among key market participants and perspectives from global cleantech leaders.

Counting Up to Green: Assessing the Green Economy and Its Implications for Growth and Equity (2012)  by Ethan Pollack, Economic Policy Institute

This report provides background on the data and definitional issues surrounding green jobs, explores some of the limitations of existing definitions, explores data from the BLS Green Goods and Services Survey, and assesses the quantitative and qualitative opportunities of green investment.

OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit (2011)  by The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

The OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit aims to provide a practical starting point for businesses around the world to improve the efficiency of their production processes and products enabling them to contribute to sustainable development and green growth. The Toolkit includes an internationally applicable common set of indicators helping businesses measure their environmental performance at the level of a plant or facility. This edition focuses on the environmental aspects of sustainable development.

A system model for green manufacturing (2011)  by Ahmed M. Deif

This paper presents a system model for the new green manufacturing paradigm. The model captures various planning activities to migrate from a less green into a greener and more eco-efficient manufacturing. The various planning stages are accompanied by the required control metrics as well as various green tools in an open mixed architecture. The system model is demonstrated by an industrial case study. The proposed model isa comprehensive qualitative answer to the question of how to design and/or improve green manufacturing systems as well as a roadmap for future quantitative research to better evaluate this new paradigm.

Investing in Energy and Resource Efficiency (2011)  by The United Nations Environment Programme

This chapter makes a case for greening cities. It describes the environmental, social and economic consequences of greening urban systems and infrastructure and provides guidance to policy makers on how to make cities more environmentally friendly.

Measuring Green Industry Employment: Developing a Definition of Green Goods and Services (2011)  by Rick Clayton, Kristin Fairman, Donald Haughton, Robert Viégas 

This paper outlines the process undertaken by Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a meaningful definition of green goods and services that takes into account definitions from the statistical community, reflects concerns from the public, and allows BLS to meaningfully quantify the number of green jobs in the economy.

An Exploration of Green Job Policies, Theoretical Underpinnings, Measurement Approaches, and Job Growth Expectations (2011)  by David J. Peters, Liesl Eathington, and David Swenson

This study explores the policy antecedents, theoretical foundations, and the many approaches to measuring green jobs in the U.S. It also contains brief descriptions of national and state initiatives to quantify green jobs currently in the economy, as well as their potential growth. The research preliminarily evaluates the likelihood of green job growth in non-metropolitan areas. The study also identifies areas of research and investigation that need to be completed to more fully inform green job policy development and programming.

A Greener Footprint for Industry: Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable Industrial Development (2010)  by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization

This paper, published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, explores the challenges and opportunities that arise in fostering green enterprise in developing countries. How can enterprises in these countries become greener and shrink their environmental footprint, while at the same time continuing to grow and deliver goods, services and jobs to their populations? What role should the governments of developing countries play in this process? Answers to these questions must take into account one overriding imperative: that industries in developing countries need to grow.

Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy (2008)  by Sarah White and Jason Walsh

This report provides information on the kind and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy; the skills needed to fill these jobs; and how existing plants and their workers—especially those in the beleaguered industrial heartland—can move to the center of the clean energy economy.

Clean Economy Cluster: Workforce Needs Assessment (Sacramento Capital Region) (2016)  by Centers for Excellence, Los Rios Community College District, Valley Vision, and Burris Service Group with support from J.P. Morgan

In 2008, the six-county Sacramento Capital region was rocked by the global recession, losing 10 percent of the region’s jobs. In response, regional leaders initiated Next Economy, an action plan to accelerate job creation and new investment in six high-growth business (industry) clusters. This report presents findings on the analysis of the Clean Economy cluster. It includes profiles of employers that represent the range of businesses in this evolving cluster.

Economic Impact: Illinois Wind Economic Development (2016)  by Illinois State University, The Center for Renewable Energy

As of April 2016, Illinois ranked 5th in the United States in overall installed wind capacity, and ranked 14th in potential capacity. The state currently has 46 wind projects online which account for 3,842.15 MW of wind generating capacity. This report analyzes the economic impacts from only the projects that exceed 50 MW of capacity. It’s goal is to supply interested parties with information concerning the economic development benefits of wind energy.

Greenworks Philadelphia 2015 Progress Report (2015)  by Greenworks Philadephia and The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

This report is an annual update and final report to the 2007 Greenworks Philadelphia report published in 2007. It provides a snapshot of the work performed over the past year, along with cumulative metrics, narrative takeaways, notes on work that remains in process, and ideas for what could come next. The goal of the report is to provide a framework for an updated sustainability plan that will extend Philadelphia’s commitments beyond 2015.

Chicago Foodland: Seizing the Opportunity to Grow Chicagoland’s Food Industry (2015)  by RW Ventures, LLC,  and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellent Center (IMEC)

This report begins by defining the food cluster in the Chicago region, and exploring the characteristics of the cluster and its firms. It explores the trends  and challenges affecting the food and beverage industry, including firms in the Chicagoland. It also highlights some potential strategies for growing the food cluster and suggests next steps for moving forward.

Clean Economy Rising: Industrial energy efficiency thrives in Pennsylvania (2014)  by the Pew Charitable Trusts

With a strong legacy in manufacturing and fossil fuel generation, Pennsylvania now is harnessing its renewable resources to develop a robust clean energy economy. The state’s policies have encouraged the deployment of solar and wind power as well as industrial energy efficiency technologies (which recycle wasted heat to generate electricity and heat on-site, improving resiliency and reducing costs for a variety of businesses). This brief examines the policies driving Pennsylvania’s success in the clean energy industry and identifies potential growth opportunities.

The Clean Economy in the Philadelphia Region (2014)   by Greenworks Philadephia and The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

Since the green jobs movement began in the early 2000s, sustainable economic development policies have evolved to include a more expansive clean economy sector. The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (MOS) partnered with PhiladelphiaWorks to take a new look at the clean economy. The survey conducted in this report focuses on employment, industry, and workplace practices that support a sustainable environment, workforce, and economy.

Economic Impact Potential of Solar Photovoltaics in Illinois (2013)  by Illinois State University, The Center for Renewable Energy

In this study, the authors seek to examine the jobs and total economic impact of the three technical potentials solar photovoltaics (PV) in Illinois. The authors examine the existing and potential PV supply chain in the state of  Illinois and the state policies in Illinois and other states to see what policies Illinois can adopt in order to increase the impact of PV on Illinois jobs.

Seeing Green: Green Infrastructure Maintenance Training and Workforce Development Opportunities in Northeast Ohio (2013)   by LAND Studio, Neighborhood Progress Inc., Green for All, and the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

In July 2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the State of Ohio, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) filed a consent decree that required NEORSD to reduce the number of combined sewer overflow events in the region. Northeast Ohio is also implementing additional steps to increase their green infrastructure footprint over the coming decades. This report was designed to be a conversation started for developing a green infrastructure maintenance training program and a workforce development program. It outlines best practices for using green infrastructure maintenance as an entry point to an articulated career pathway.

The Big Green Opportunity for Small Business in the U.S. (2013)  by Green America, Ecoventures International, and the Association for Enterprise Opportunity

This report is the first major study to look at the green economy from the perspective of small business owners, including  owners of “microbusinesses” – those businesses with 5 or fewer employees that represent 88% of businesses in the United States. The authors of this report surveyed 1,300 business owners nationwide to find out why green marketing opportunities and operating practices should matter to owners of small businesses.

Chicago Sustainable Industries: A Business Plan for Manufacturing (2013)  by Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development

Building off of the Growth and Jobs Plan released by World Business Chicago in 2012, this report presents additional city policies and strategies involving manufacturing, land use, public investment, partnerships and regulatory improvements to help ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of local manufacturers.

The Chicago Region’s “Green” Economic Opportunities (2012)  by Metropolis Strategies

This report offers a disciplined way to analyze the green economy opportunities best suited to the Chicago region. It uses economic analysis to see where there might be a competitive advantage over other metropolitan regions in growing new firms or expanding markets for existing firms. The report identifies 12 sectors that look promising for Chicago and delves more deeply into one promising opportunity for growth — energy efficient lighting.

Working Towards a Green Detroit: Investing in Sustainable Industry and “Green Collar” Careers for Residents in Detroit (2012)  by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund and United Way for Southeastern Michigan

This report presents a roadmap of opportunities to support job creation and innovation based on sustainable and scalable clean economy industries in the Detroit area. It includes policies, that when implemented, can continue to accelerate the growth of clean economy industries. With each opportunity, this document provides real examples of activities going on right now that are turning these prospects into a reality in Metro Detroit.

New York State Green Jobs Study (2011)  by The New York City Labor Market Information Service

This document presents findings in brief from a larger study, conducted by the New York State Department of Labor in collaboration with the New York City Labor Market Information Service (NYCLMIS) at the CUNY Graduate Center, the Advanced Energy Center (AEC) at Stony Brook University and the Energy and Environmental Technical Applications Center (E2TAC) at the University at Albany. It focuses on the industry clusters that are most involved in energy efficiency and renewable energy: Construction, Building Services, Professional Services and Manufacturing.

The Greening of the Los Angeles Economy (2011)  by The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

This report, commissioned in 2008 by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and conducted by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, examines the Los Angeles region’s $500 billion economy with the goal of evaluating the challenges and opportunities that arise from greening the economy.

Saint Louis Green Jobs Report (2011)  by The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC)

This report is a final product of the Green Labor Market Information (LMI) Project. The mission of the project was to help align the St. Louis region’s workforce to meet the growing demands of the green economy.

Manufacturing and Pollution: Trends in Old and New Industrial Centers (2011)  by The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

From the late 1960s to the present, many cities in northern states such as Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania lost hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs as workers flocked to more attractive working conditions in the Sun Belt states. This report analyzes and compares trends in manufacturing and estimated pollution produced by this industry for these North and South regions from 1998 through 2008.

Sizing the Green Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment (2011)  by The Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings

Covering the years 2003 to 2010 for every county in the United States, this report is the first study of the U.S. clean economy that is both comprehensive enough in its scope and detailed enough in its categorization to inform national, state, and regional leaders on the dynamics of the U.S. low-carbon and environmental goods and services “super-sector” as they are transpiring in regions and metropolitan areas. This information is then employed in a discussion of how the nation, the states, and localities and regions might address a number of key policy problems that may be slowing the growth of the clean economy.

Cleantech Corridor, Los Angeles, CA (2010)  by The Urban Land Institute

Los Angeles has launched an ambitious plan to transform an approximately four-mile swath of land downtown along the banks of the Los Angeles River into a catalytic Cleantech Corridor full of enterprises engaged in the pursuit, development, and manufacture of “cleantech” products and technologies.This report examines development opportunities, market potential, and development strategies consistent with the goals of Cleantech Los Angeles.

Greenworks Philadelphia (2009)  by Greenworks Philadephia and The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

This report builds upon the work of the 2007 Local Action Plan for Climate Change that was produced by the Sustainability Working Group, a task force of more than 50 municipal employees. The report considers sustainability through five different lenses—Energy,  Environment, Equity, Economy and Engagement. For each, there is an overarching goal and measurable targets designed to help Philadelphia reach its goal to be the greenest city in America.

Green Pathways Out of Poverty: Workforce Development Initiatives (2009)  by Green for All

This report is meant to guide and support anyone seeking to create pathways out of poverty through green job training. It the product of a two-day meeting convened by Green for All which brought together a diverse group of training practitioners to discuss best practices for connecting low-income people to jobs in the green sector.

Making it Green in Minneapolis St. Paul (2008)  by CDC Associates

There is growth and opportunity in green manufacturing, especially in building products, renewable energy and transportation – green enterprise is an estimated $229 billion market sector. This report provides baseline information about these markets in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, best practices of other cities and a set of recommendations to guide the two cities.

Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Green Economy (2008)   by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, The Workforce Alliance, and the Apollo Alliance

Across the country people are talking about the economic promise of clean energy. Greener Pathways puts jobs at the heart of this animated national conversation. This report provides information on the kind and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy; the skills needed to fill these jobs; and how existing plants and their workers—especially those in the beleaguered industrial heartland—can move to the center of the clean energy economy.