Green Collar Worker Definition - draft study

“A green-collar worker is a worker who is employed in the environmental sectors of the economy, or in the agricultural sector.”

Should green collar only cover environmental or agricultural sectors? Is an industry-based approach appropriate? Can a green collar worker be involved with the science of developing technologies that help produce more efficient energy or power systems? Is a mechanic working on a windmill also a green collar worker? Even workers in the same industry achieve their goals or perform their jobs differently. Could we develop something more inclusive which provides an indication of intent? Let’s look at a “Green Collar Job” definition. The short radio program, “the Environminute” stated,

“Green collar jobs are blue collar jobs that help protect the planet.”

A broader definition that seems to be role-based. A role-based approach is good but what if you are merely “conserving or preserving” that planet? What if you are just doing a job that produces little or no waste? Does this definition add confusion by defining something with an ambiguous term like “blue collar.” Will additional research reveal similar problems back in the days of the industrial revolution when folks were trying to define blue-collar worker? Separately, Wikipedia, defines a Blue Collar worker as,

“a member of the working class who performs manual labor and earns an hourly wage.”

Is this also too exclusive? Must Green Collar Workers perform jobs which pay hourly? Do Green Collar Workers need to do manual labor to be considered green? RAQUEL PINDERHUGHES, Ph. D. definition in her Green Collar Jobs case study for the city of Berkeley, California states in part,

“Green collar jobs are blue collar jobs in green businesses – that is, manual labor jobs in businesses whose products and services directly improve environmental quality (Pinderhughes, 2006).”

Does this occupational-based approach to defining “Green Collar Jobs”, exclude folks that work behind a desk on a computer?  What about folks building websites which in turn, support green efforts? Could we include folks that invest in “Environmentally-Friendly Portfolios,” as Green Collar Workers? What about salaried, County workers that are researching and implementing sustainability plans? Could politicians that sign and act in accordance with green sustainability pledge during their term in office be considered Green Collar Workers?

The UNEP, ILO, ITUC GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE Report and GreenforAll orgnizations shoot a bit higher in their definition of Green Collar Jobs,

“Green-collar jobs, as we define them, are wellpaid, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality. Like traditional blue-collar jobs, green-collar jobs range from low-skill, entry-level positions to high-skill, higher-paid jobs, and include opportunities for advancement in both skills and wages.”

Is the “opportunity for advancement” inclusion important? is this more of an outcome-based approach? Does “career track” exclude stay-at-home Moms? 

In a more recent report commissioned and funded by UNEP, also as part of the joint UNEP, ILO, IOE, ITUC Green Jobs Initiative you can find this Green Collar Jobs definition, 

“We define green jobs as work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.”

Should the following questions also be considered when attempting to define the term, “Green Collar Worker” or “Green Collar Jobs” in Hawaii?  

1. Should the definition of a Green Collar Worker be different depending on location?  For example, where you live has great impact on the way you work and what you do for work. A Green Colla Worker specializing in water systems might be involved in diverse occupations such as harvesting, treatment, delivery, research and education. We may find differences in impact, skills and success metrics among green workers in sandy deserts vs. the rain forests of Mountain View.  
2. 2. Is the context in which you live or work in important to how you personally define a Green Collar Worker? A so-called, “Green Collar” means one thing to a researcher studing photo-voltaics and something potentially different to a farmer using sustainable growing techniques. An educator teaching green design may define a Green Collar Workers differently than a hydropower technician at the local power company. Similar differences in definition might exist between a LEEDS certified building contractor and a web professional using a green data center and energy efficient-coding standards to build online websites.
3. Is an outcomes-based approach the best dtermining factor? The workers intent may have a direct affect on the environment surrounding the worker on and off duty. Should the worker’s past performance be considered? Do commercial hazardous materials handlers have a special responsibility in the context of the environment? Are some workers inclined to be “greener” tan others?

• Daniel Morii of the Sustainable Living Institute
• Alex Frost from Hawaii County Research and Development HCRC
• Angela Kang from Hawaii County Department of Environmental Mangement
• Kareen Forissier Legislative Assistant to Councilman Pete Hoffmann

At Green Collar Technologies we’re working to learn how location and context might affect our ability to facilitate a greener economy. One such effort is our research into the Green Jobs Act and how Hawai`i might utlize funds appropriated by the Act will be provided as the discussion continues. We’re hoping for your participate in the discussion. We’ve setup a green jobs forum to help us understand your ideas, thoughts and suggestions to help us move beyond definition and into providing pathways to green jobs.