Climate Jobs

In 2020, the United States had over 4.1 million climate jobs, though the total number fell by eight percent that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Energy efficiency was the largest sector with 2.1 million jobs, followed by energy transmission, distribution, and storage with 763,000 jobs. Renewable energy supported 504,600 jobs, and clean transportation (vehicles and fuels) supported 364,300 jobs. The document also notes the emergence of adaptation and resilience jobs, with the American Society of Adaptation Professionals representing members employing over 100,000 people. Future growth potential is significant, with estimates that achieving 50 to 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 could create 500,000–600,000 jobs in solar, wind, and battery storage.

• The United States had more than 4.1 million climate jobs in 2020, although the total number of these positions decreased by eight percent that year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Energy efficiency was the largest climate employment sector in 2020, supporting 2.1 million jobs, with the highest concentrations in California (283,800), Texas (152,100), New York (121,000), and Florida (108,900).
• Clean transportation employment in 2020 included 261,300 jobs in clean vehicles and 103,000 jobs in renewable fuels. Despite the pandemic, jobs in electric vehicles grew by eight percent and hybrid electric vehicles grew by six percent in 2020.
• Climate adaptation and resilience jobs are growing, with the American Society of Adaptation Professionals representing members employing over 100,000 people. Investment in flood resilience is estimated to create 40,000 jobs for every $1 billion invested.
• Future growth projections suggest that reaching 50 to 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 could generate 500,000–600,000 jobs in battery storage, wind, and solar. Additionally, a national Clean Electricity Payment Program could create 7.7 million job-years over ten years.

APA

Bertrand, S. (2021). Climate Jobs. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Climate_Jobs_2021_v10.pdf

Chicago

Bertrand, Savannah. Climate Jobs. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2021. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Climate_Jobs_2021_v10.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bertrand |first1=Savannah |title=Climate Jobs |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=September 2021 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Climate_Jobs_2021_v10.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bertrand2021climate, author = {Bertrand, Savannah}, title = {{Climate Jobs}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Climate_Jobs_2021_v10.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }