It’s a new year and there’s a new vision for Canada; a future that includes putting a price on carbon in a bid to reduce GHG emissions.
The Canadian Government has committed to implementing a carbon tax system by 2018 and has vowed to “reduce carbon pollution, spark innovation and create jobs”. So what will this mean for environmental jobs?
Many provinces have already implemented a tax on carbon emissions. In fact, the majority of Canadians already live in a province where it’s a reality. No matter what the view is on if it’s an effective way to reduce GHGs, the level of commitment by the provincial and federal governments means that carbon pricing is here to stay.
Businesses are keenly aware of the impact that carbon tax can have on their bottom line. Many businesses are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and this could lead to an increase in environmental jobs related to GHG emissions reduction, monitoring, quantification, verification, and reporting.
At ECO, we care about environmental careers. We want to know how carbon tax and other regulations like cap and trade will affect environmental jobs.
Will the commitment to environmental regulation see an increase in the number of jobs available? Will there be a trend towards job creation? Are new jobs being created in direct relation to GHGs and carbon tax policies?
Here at ECO, we have determined the following areas of employment for jobs related to climate change:
- GHG mitigation, management and reporting
- Training, communication, and public awareness
- Adaptation and impact assessments
- Compliance and auditing
The emerging response to sustainability – and especially the climate change challenge – is creating whole new industries, new jobs, and new types of responsibilities within existing jobs.
What opportunities are there for job growth?
With significant planned federal investment, and with an increase in businesses trying to actively reduce their carbon footprint, there are opportunities for job creation, and for environmental professionals to branch out into new and expanding areas of employment.
It’s anticipated that many environmental professionals will engage in climate-change-related activities within the scope of their role. There are already environmental jobs that deal with GHGs, carbon pricing/offset, and climate change.
Some key environmental jobs: Environmental Engineer, Public Outreach and Engagement Manager, Policy Analyst, GHG Auditor, Air Quality Advisor, Energy Policy Analyst, Energy Efficiency Program Manager, Environmental Economist…and the list goes on.
Still skeptical? In terms of investing in climate change jobs, the federal government has created a Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. As part of this framework, Canada will see:
- A $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Fund beginning in 2017 to support new provincial and territorial actions to reduce emissions between now and 2030.
- $82.5 million over two years to support research, development, and demonstration of clean energy technologies with the greatest potential to reduce GHG emissions
- $40 million over five years to integrate climate resilience into building design guides and codes.
- Green infrastructure funding for projects that reduce GHG emissions, enable greater climate change adaptation, and focus on clean air and drinking water in communities (Click here to for the source)
- $50 million over two years to invest in technologies that will reduce GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector
- More than $1 billion over four years to support clean technology including in the forestry, fisheries, mining, energy and agriculture sectors.
