Green building creates green jobs, and green jobs will be crucial as we build a new green economy.
A new Booz Allen Hamilton study released by USGBC on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Greenbuild 2009 predicts green building will support or create 7.9 million jobs between 2009-2013 and will contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product.
Download the full study (PDF) »
Download a slideshow summary of the report (PPT) »
USGBC and its members have been deeply engaged in the current and ongoing discussion of America’s new green economy. The resources on this page will help you harness the power of USGBC’s work, whether you use our Career Center to find a green job or study the research on the role of green building in a green economy to do your part in advocating for an economically and environmentally sustainable American future.
Find a Green Job
The USGBC Career Center was constructed to help connect our members (employees and recruiters alike) with new employment opportunities, including great green jobs.
Green Building Education
LEED Accredited Professional
The LEED AP Credential will help you become a more attractive candidate for green jobs. Find out how to achieve accreditation at GBCI.org »
Greenbuild 365
USGBC’s diverse educational offerings will help you in your professional development as you search for jobs in the new green economy. Visit the Course Catalog to access USGBC's educational offerings »
Education Provider Program
Take the next step in your green building education with USGBC's Education Provider Program. This program provides access to high-quality, peer-reviewed courses for professionals seeking to go beyond LEED and enrich their knowledge of green building theories, techniques, and business trends. Give yourself the competitive edge in an emerging green economy. Visit the Education Program Provider page on USGBC.org for more information »
Government Resources
USGBC has compiled a comprehensive set of resources for state and local governments looking to make green building part of their own green economic recovery under the federal economic stimulus plan. Resources include free Stimulus Plan Implementation webcasts, tools to help local and state governments apply the economic stimulus to green building projects, and other resources. Green Economic Recovery Resources. »
Research Publications: Green Economy
Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow
July 2009, White House Council of Economic Advisers
This report projects that green jobs will continue to grow faster than those within the U.S. economy as a whole in the coming years. The report examines environment-related jobs growth among engineers, technicians and scientists and finds that such jobs grew faster than other occupations between 2000 and 2006 and projected fast relative growth through 2016.
Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy
October 2008, U.S. Conference of Mayors & Mayors Climate Protection Center
This study measures how many direct and indirect jobs are in the emerging U.S. green economy. Currently, the economy generates more than 750,000 green jobs and is projected to create 4.2 million green jobs over the next 30 years. Economic opportunities for the green building sector are also outlined in this report.
Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy
September 2008, Pollin, R. et. al for Center of American Progress
This report describes a recovery program for a green economy that would create 2 million jobs over the next two years. Of the six key infrastructure investment strategies outlined, retrofitting buildings is considered the “most obvious” option for green investment.
Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World
September 2008, Worldwatch Institute for United Nations Environment Programme
This comprehensive report presents quantifications, estimates, and projections for green jobs around the world. Energy-efficiency measures in the building sector, notably green building and retrofitting, are highlighted as primary drivers in the growing green economy.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century
2007, Bezdek, R. for the American Solar Energy Society
A study on the current and future state of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the United States. The report found that 40 million Americans could be employed in these industries by 2030, generating $4.53 trillion in annual revenue.
Green Economy in the News
» 7/1/09 - House Passage of Energy and Climate Legislation Creates New Opportunities for Green Building, USGBC.org
» 5/27/09 - Middle Class Task Force Announces Agency Partnerships to Build a Strong Middle Class through a Green Economy, WhiteHouse.gov
» 3/3/09 - Is the Green-Building Market Recession-Proof?, Architectural Record
» 3/3/09 - Saving Money: How the green building industry is thriving in a down economy, Energy Pulse
» 2/26/09 - Is Green Building the Economy's Bright Spot?, RISMedia
» 2/25/09 - Green Building Stimulus: Synonymous with LEED, GreenBuildings.com Feb. 25, 2009
» 1/29/09 - Green Building Can Lay a Fast Foundation for Economic Recovery, Roll Call magazine
» 1/28/09 - A Down Payment on the Green Economy: USGBC joins top business leaders at the White House in support of the recovery package (PDF)
» 1/23/09 - USGBC Commends House Leadership on Green Schools
» 1/21/09 - National Studies Show Green Building as Key Part of America's Economic Future
January 2009 - USGBC Update
» Message to the Transition: Green Building Creates Jobs, Saves Energy and Saves Money
January 2009 - USGBC Announcement
» USGBC to Obama Administration: Yes We Will
November 2008 - Advocacy & Policy Update
» The New Agenda: A New Energy Economy and 5 Million Green Jobs
October 2008 - A Message from Rick Fedrizzi
» The new economy must be a green economy