Disparities in Green Jobs by Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

While the environmental and health benefits of the green transition are likely to be significant, its economic benefits may accrue unequally to different communities, thereby limiting a just transition. This article examines whether socially disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups are more vulnerable to occupational displacement in the green transition because their existing skills are less suitable to green jobs and because they reside in counties that are not rich in green jobs. Multivariate regression analysis is used to test this hypothesis, combining newly available county-level data on green jobs with socioeconomic and demographic information. The results show significant racial disparities, even after accounting for educational attainment and rural domiciles. Native American and Black-majority counties have fewer green jobs, amounting to about one standard deviation lower than the average county. The data does not show evidence of ethnic disparities in the distribution of green jobs. The analysis reveals that policies targeted toward enhancing or acquiring skills required for green jobs are urgently needed, particularly in socially disadvantaged racial communities, to ensure that the green transition is just and inclusive.