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The green economy is the economy of the future: Transitioning to a greener economy is projected to create 24 million jobs globally by 2030, the International Labour Organization says.
As New York works to recover from Covid-19's economic devastation, however, we need to start thinking about the green economy of today—with massive potential to create stable, good-paying jobs right now in communities such as the Bronx and others that were hit hardest by unemployment.
In fact, jobs in renewable energy increased in 2020—even amid the pandemic's economic disruption. All the data points to the need to urgently invest in clean energy solutions now—not only as a climate strategy but an economic one.
New York is leading the way on both fronts. In 2019 the state enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and set a goal for a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 and economywide carbon neutrality.
Achievable goal
Clean Path New York is how we make that goal a reality—an $11 billion, all-New York investment to build new, state-of-the-art wind and solar infrastructure upstate and a 175-mile transmission line to bring reliable, clean power downstate where it's needed most.
Crucially, the project will create 8,300 jobs in engineering, construction, operations, maintenance and elsewhere—all paying well, all for New York and all in a sector that is poised for dynamic growth. Clean Path New York has committed to working with skilled union labor and pursuing local hiring to ensure that working New Yorkers have meaningful opportunities to bring this first-in-the-nation project to life in our state.
When it is completed, Clean Path New York will enable the delivery of more than 7.5 million megawatt-hours of emissions-free clean energy into New York every year and reduce fossil fuel emissions from the electric sector by 22% on average per year—that's 49 million tons of avoided CO2. With Clean Path New York, we'll be well on our way toward New York's goal of 70% renewable energy generation by 2030.
The Clean Path New York project recognizes that the transition to a green economy must be just and swift. For too long, communities on the front lines of climate change, especially neighborhoods in the Bronx, have borne the public health burdens of living near and working in New York's fossil fuel infrastructure—paying the price in higher risks of illness with little economic gain.
Investing in green
We must ensure that these New Yorkers are not only part of the new green economy, but the drivers of it. That means investing in green job training, union apprenticeships, workforce development and education to create real, long-term career pathways to the renewable energy sector.
Clean Path New York has committed $270 million to this effort, to be steered by New Yorkers, including those in affected communities. This investment will help expand New York's green economy to be more representative of the full breadth of New York's diverse and skilled workforce.
This is what the green economy of today looks like—family-sustaining, inclusive, and accessible to anyone who wants to be part of New York's recovery and our state's transition to a sustainable, renewable energy future. Clean Path New York meets the moment head on—a win for the Bronx, a win for our economy, a win for our climate and a win for our future.
Lisa Sorin is president of the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
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