The Wage Dynamics team are excited to announce the publication of our research paper using ASHE linked to Census 2011 data, “Working Towards an Environmentally Sustainable and Equitable Future? New Evidence on Green Jobs from Linked Administrative Data in the UK,” now available in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
As the UK accelerates its transition towards a net-zero economy, green jobs are emerging as a key driver of sustainable growth. But are they truly equitable? The study leverages a unique linked administrative dataset to examine the employment characteristics and economic benefits of green occupations.
The findings reveal both opportunities and persistent inequalities. While green jobs offer a pay premium—estimated at 4%—they remain disproportionately occupied by white, male, full-time employees. The research also highlights how collective agreements can boost earnings in green roles, yet union representation is lower in directly green occupations.
Notably, the study finds that while green employment can help mitigate inter-occupational pay disparities, gender and ethnic wage gaps persist within green jobs. Women, particularly those with childcare responsibilities, continue to face pay disadvantages. Sectoral differences also play a role, with traditional industries like manufacturing and construction showing entrenched biases.
These insights underscore the need for inclusive policies to ensure that the green transition benefits all workers. Addressing these inequalities is not only a matter of social justice but also critical for achieving a truly sustainable economy.
This is a re-blog from the Wage and Dynamics page You can find the full paper here.