Europe Will Create Millions of Environmental Jobs

Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol will create one to two million jobs in environmentally-related fields in the European Union over the next 11 years, according to Ritt Bjerregaard, European Commissioner for Environment and Nuclear Safety. At least 3.5 million people in the European Union presently work in such jobs.

Energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and taxes on conventional energy sources will all create jobs. "Estimates show the job potential of wind energy can be as high as 320,000 jobs, and that of biomass production to 1,000,000 jobs," Bjerregaard said. She predicted that it would be mainly small and medium-sized companies that will create these new jobs as they change production processes.

Companies that use clean technologies and innovative solutions will gain competitive advantage as they save costs, avoid pollution, use fewer resources such as energy and water. Their expansion will lead to job creation. Bjerregaard says, "Studies in Germany and the U.K. show that cleaner cars and more and better public transport systems not only improve urban air quality but also create employment. Similarly, increased activity in recycling and the provision of green spaces result in new businesses opportunities and thus new jobs." She predicts organic farming and sustainable forestry will also add jobs.

Source: Environment News Service: http://ens.lycos.com