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.

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.

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:

  • has a job title that clearly indicates that it benefits the environment (for example: Sustainability Analyst, Environmental Technician, etc.)
  • requires specialized environmental skills, knowledge, or expertise (for example: knowledge of environmental policies and regulations, expertise in sustainable resource management, etc.)
  • involves tasks that result in an environmental benefit (for example: installing or operating clean technology equipment, applying sustainable building construction or retrofitting techniques, etc.)
  • supports organizations that work toward positive environmental outcomes (for example: providing services to sustainable businesses, promoting or selling eco-friendly products, etc.) 

You can also consider the employer’s reputation for environmental sustainability.

Verify if the employer:

  • has a values and mission statement that clearly outlines their commitment to environmental sustainability
  • implements any sustainable practices and policies in their workplace and operations to improve their impact on the environment (for example: using clean energy, optimizing waste management, etc.)
  • operates in an industry that is known for its environmental focus (for example: clean technology, renewable energy, green building and retrofitting, electric vehicle production and maintenance, sustainable agriculture, etc.)
  • requires or values certifications related to sustainability (for example: LEED for energy-efficient buildings, Fairtrade certifications for the respect and promotion of sustainable agriculture practices, Carbon Neutral certifications for businesses that offset their carbon emissions, etc.)
  • participates in programs that promote environmental sustainability, or maintain partnerships or affiliations with green associations or networks
  • has received any awards in recognition of their environmental stewardship

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.

Royal Bank of Canada, 2022

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.

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.

Useful resources

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.

Search 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.

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.

Read news about green jobs in Canada

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.

Clean Energy Canada, 2019 PDF

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.

  • The Science & Technology Internship Program supports youth between the ages of 15 and 30 gain work experience and skills in the natural resources sector through paid internships and training opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and other related fields to promote positive environmental outcomes.
  • The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program provides wage subsidies to eligible employers across Canada to hire recent graduates for 6 to 12 month internships that contribute to Canada’s green economic growth in environmental and clean technology sectors.

Other programs

The following organizations also provide reputable programs to help all Canadians prepare for work and find a job in the green economy.

  • ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization of Canada) provides a variety of services to help Canadian workers participate in the green economy.
    Services offered by ECO Canada
  • GoodWork.ca helps people connect with volunteer and paid work opportunities with a focus on the environment and sustainability across Canada.
  • The Mining Industry Human Resources Council’s Green Jobs Program helps job-ready youth gain relevant and meaningful work experience in mining through paid placements or training opportunities that focus on clean technology and innovation.
  • Project Learning Tree Canada assists youth across Canada on their green career pathways with a job search tool, different environmental careers fact sheets, a mentorship program, various green-themed webinars and in-person workshops.
  • The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) proposes a membership that gives people who sign up the opportunity to collaborate, network and share resources with other groups across Canada.
  • Pinnguaq’s GreenWorks program offers digital skills training that helps to launch or advance young Canadian’s career in the natural resources sector. It also provides internships and paid job placements to help them gain skills and experience.
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