Green jobs offer new opportunities for workers to help the environment and play an active role in Canada’s goals of reducing greenhouse emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. By joining this transition to a more sustainable economy, job seekers can secure a promising future for themselves in the job market.
What are green jobs?
Green jobs are positions that involve responsibilities contributing to the conservation, preservation, or restoration of the environment.
Useful definitions
- Environmental conservation aims to prevent the degradation of natural resources through their responsible use.
- Environmental preservation aims to protect natural resources and ecosystems from human harm and exploitation.
- Environmental restoration involves repairing or rehabilitating natural resources that have been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters or human activities.
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The environmental impact of green jobs
The impact of green jobs on the environment varies depending on the nature of a position: it may be direct (such as a solar panel installer) or indirect (such as a financial advisor who recommends eco-friendly investment options). Green jobs are not limited to specific industries: as public awareness of environmental issues grows, the demand for green jobs is increasing across most sectors of the economy in Canada.
How to tell if a job is green
On Job Bank, green jobs are identified when an employer indicates that the position they are advertising leads to positive environmental outcomes and helps Canada achieve its net-zero targets. Learn more about Job Bank’s methodology for identifying green jobs.
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Not all green jobs are clearly labelled, so how can you be sure that the job you are applying to is green?
Ask yourself if the job:
You can also consider the employer’s reputation for environmental sustainability.
Verify if the employer:
You may be able to find this information on the employer’s website. Otherwise, you can ask them directly about it during the application or interview process. You can also seek feedback or testimonials from current or former employees to learn more about the organization’s culture, and find out whether the employer prioritizes environmental sustainability in its decision-making.
Did you know?
Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy could create up to 400,000 new jobs in Canada by the end of this decade alone.
How to find green jobs
Want to find a position that contributes to positive environmental outcomes? Depending on your career objectives, there are many ways you can go about finding green jobs.
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Research green industries and organizations
A good starting point in your search for green jobs may be to research industries that have a good track record of environmental sustainability – but don’t limit yourself to industries that are traditionally seen as "green". You should also consider exploring less obvious sectors where eco-friendly practices are gaining traction.
For example: the finance sector is increasingly investing in green projects, the fashion industry is adopting sustainable materials and production methods, and transportation companies are developing greener technologies. By keeping an open mind, you’ll improve your chances of finding green job opportunities that truly resonate with your values, interests, and skills.
If a specific industry interests you, start by examining its environmental impact by looking for evidence of industry-wide sustainability efforts, such as carbon reduction goals or investments in renewable energy. You can then attend industry events or join social media groups to network with other professionals who are already working in the field. You can also identify specific organizations in the industry that have a clear commitment to sustainability and visit their websites to learn about their green job opportunities.
Search green jobs on Job Bank and other job boards
If you already know what type of work you want to do, you can search job titles that interest you on dedicated websites for green jobs and environmentally conscious professionals. You can also search on mainstream job boards by using specific key words like "sustainability”, "environment” or "eco-friendly” to filter your results and find green jobs.
On Job Bank, you can find green jobs by using a dedicated filter. Learn more about how to find green jobs on Job Bank.
Useful information
Keep an eye out for these labels when searching for green jobs on Job Bank:
- Green job indicates that the job leads to positive environmental outcomes.
- Green workplace indicates that the employer has implemented eco-friendly practices in the workplace.
Get the latest news about green jobs
Keeping up with recent developments in the labour market is key to discovering current and upcoming green job opportunities. When you stay informed about what’s happening in the green economy, you gain valuable information that can guide your job search efforts and give you a competitive edge over other candidates. For example: you could find out before everyone which companies are getting major investments to create more green jobs, or which ones are announcing their intention to adopt more sustainable practices.
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On Job Bank, you can browse through the latest news articles about job creation, layoffs and other types of events in the labour market across Canada. You can filter these news to only see articles related to green jobs.
Did you know?
Jobs in Canada’s clean energy sector are expected to grow by 3.4% annually over the next decade (2020 -2030) – nearly four times faster than the Canadian average.
Useful tools and resources
Federal programs
Here are some federal programs and initiatives that can help youth and recent graduates find green jobs and internships that have positive environmental outcomes in Canada.
Other programs
The following organizations also provide reputable programs to help all Canadians prepare for work and find a job in the green economy.
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