A first-of-its-kind Green Workforce Landscape Analysis, released by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Center for Data and Research in partnership with Co-op Cincy and the city’s Office of Environment and Sustainability, outlines more than 100 green jobs critical to advancing the region’s sustainability goals.
The analysis, guided by the city’s 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan, shows that Cincinnati could add as many as 44,000 green jobs, driven by investments ranging from $2.6 billion to $5.7 billion — potentially generating $11 billion in economic return. The 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan is the city’s roadmap for reducing carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reaching full carbon neutrality by 2050.
“We found that in order to accomplish the goals of the Green Cincinnati Plan, we are definitely going to need a lot more jobs,” said Brandon Rudd, director of the chamber’s Center for Data and Research.
High-demand roles include electricians, construction workers, and operations managers.
“These are jobs with relatively low barriers to entry and the potential for quality wages,” Rudd said.
One local company already helping shape the green workforce is Sustainergy Cooperative, a worker-owned solar and energy efficiency business.
“The average Cincinnati household spends between $2,800 and $2,900 a year on gas and electric,” said Flequer Vera, director of Sustainergy. “Multiply that over 25 years, factoring in 4% annual inflation, and you’re looking at over $120,000 in energy costs.”
EnergySage reports that the average U.S. homeowner will save about $50,000 on electricity costs over 25 years by going solar.
Vera said Sustainergy’s co-op model empowers employees by giving them ownership in the business, which boosts productivity and retention.
“When people feel like they own the assets, the clients, the trucks — they tend to produce more,” he said.
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