California Watch: 2013 Green Innovation Index

California Green Innovation Index
Next 10: March 19, 2013

Next 10 is focused on innovation and the intersection between the economy, the environment, and quality of life issues for all Californians. Next 10 creates tools and provides information that fosters a deeper understanding of the critical issues affecting all Californians. Through education and civic engagement, Next 10 hopes Californians will become empowered to affect change.

The 2013 California Green Innovation Index, the 5th edition, shows that clean technology patent registrations and energy productivity are growing, clean economy jobs continue their post-recession recovery, and the state’s carbon intensity continues to drop.

At the same time, the Index shows that while overall investments in clean companies have fallen, financing models are changing with the rise of strategic corporate investors, and investments in some sectors continue to grow.

California’s clean economy sector is diversifying and advancing according to new data: clean tech patents, investment levels, energy productivity levels, state GDP relative to greenhouse gas emissions, California's clean economy jobs and more.

California Watch: Next 10

Many Shades of Green:
Diversity and Distribution of California’s Green Jobs
Next 10: December 2009

Between 1995-2008, green businesses increased 45%, green jobs grew 36% while total jobs in the state grew only 13%.Even in rural areas with a smaller economic base, green jobs are growing faster than the overall economy.

Between 2007-2008, green jobs grew 5% while total jobs dropped 1%. Services accounted for 45% of all California green jobs, the largest portion in Environmental Consulting.

Manufacturing represents 21% of all green jobs, and grew 19% between 1995 and 2008. Half of all manufacturing jobs are split between Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation. With nearly 43,000 jobs in 2008, Air & Environment is the largest of California’s green segments. While this segment’s jobs remained steady, hovering around 35,000 from 1995-2005, since 2005 the number of green jobs in this segment increased 24%.

From 1995-2008, Energy Generation employment expanded 61% by nearly 10,000 jobs. Solar makes up the largest portion, and strongest growth (63%.)

Employment in Energy Efficiency increased 63% from 1995-2008.

Employment in Green Transportation has increased 152% since 1995. Green Transportation Jobs are primarily in Motor Vehicles & Equipment and Alternative Fuels, with the latter growing faster at 201%, and representing 48% of all jobs in this segment.

Green Logistics is an emerging field, only in the Bay Area at present, with employment growing by 1,144% since 1995.