Profile of Minnesota's Green Economy
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Green job vacancies represented 2.5 percent (3,882 vacancies) of overall hiring demand in Minnesota between fourth quarter 2009 and second quarter 2011[1]. These vacancies were found in 263 firms, predominantly private companies, across the state with about half in the Twin Cities metro area and half outside of the metro area. Establishments with fewer than nine employees had the highest concentration of green job vacancies (29 percent).
With its diversified economy, Minnesota has a piece of just about every possible green activity, from reforestation to cutting-edge research on biopolymers. While green vacancies were reported in a wide variety of industries, the greatest numbers were in construction and manufacturing.
The concentration of green vacancies in the manufacturing sector -- where Minnesota already has a competitive advantage in terms of employment concentration, firm concentration, and locally available workforce -- suggests that the greening of the economy could contribute to strengthening the state’s manufacturing base.
The following list describes the relative size of Minnesota’s green economy, composition, and distinguishing characteristics of each green category:
Energy and Resource Efficiency (31 percent)
These jobs contribute to designing, manufacturing, installing, maintaining, and/or selling products or services that increase energy and resource efficiency. This sector benefits from Minnesota’s extreme climate, strict building codes, and opportunities for long-term energy savings.
Recycling and Pollution Prevention (22 percent)
These jobs focus on reusing/recovering materials, manufacturing low-impact and non-toxic products, and reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and manufacturing activities. Minnesota has a strong recycling sector that supports local manufacturers by creating a market for industrial byproducts and materials recovered from solid waste.This category also has an important research and development component in Minnesota, specifically in green chemistry and bio-based plastics.
Natural Resource Conservation (13 percent)
These jobs contribute to conserving Minnesota's natural resources and ensuring their most efficient use. Public-sector hiring was the most concentrated in this green category, with government accounting for 80 percent of all openings.[2]
Environmental Compliance (11 percent)
These jobs include corporate headquarters positions such as environmental compliance managers and corporate sustainability specialists. Hiring from nonprofits and government was also strong in this category and included fund raisers for conservation-related activities and scholars engaged in applied research.
Renewable Energy (11 percent)
These jobs involve the generation, storage, and distribution of power from renewable sources or alternative fuels. With good wind potential and abundant agricultural feedstock, Minnesota is investing in renewable energy sources and biomass fuel sources.
Pollution Control (8 percent)
These jobs contribute to pollution control/mitigation and waste treatment. Given myriad pollution sources and problems, businesses face the challenge of identifying viable and effective cleanup options, with solutions coming from a variety of disciplines.
Water Treatment and Conservation (3 percent)
These jobs contribute to cleaning up, conserving, and optimizing the use of water resources. Issues of water quantity and quality are essential for many types of economic development.
[1] The study period included 4 quarters between fall 2009 and spring 2011: fall 2009, spring 2010, fall 2010, and spring 2011. Moreover, since the survey was constructed to measure job vacancies, not current jobs, the data collected cannot be interpreted to determine the size of the green economy in Minnesota.
[2] Self-employed farmers were not included in the universe of surveyed establishments.