Manufacturing workers could be big winners in the race for green jobs, according to a new report by the ACTU and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
The report titled, Creating Jobs – Cutting Pollution: The Road Map for a Cleaner, Stronger Economy, found that Australia could create more than 770,000 extra jobs by 2030 by taking strong action now to cut pollution.
Using extensive economic modelling from The National Institute of Economic and Industry Research, the report found that strong action on pollution would result in 140,684 new manufacturing jobs.
According to the report, manufacturing workers would benefit from rapid expansion of clean energy infrastructure, clean vehicle production and public transport infrastructure.
AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said the report proves that moving to a low carbon economy relies on re-skilling workers, not laying them off.
“We must have strong government intervention to ensure that shifting to a low-carbon future does not mean workers are worse off. If Australia takes the lead, we can take advantage of new jobs in renewable industries,” he said.
“There are multi-billion dollar export opportunities in clean technology and we have to make sure Australia gets in early.”
Worldwide investment in clean energy totalled $US162 billion in 2009, but only US$1billion of this investment was in Australia.
China is ranked number one in clean energy investment out of the G20 countries, with $34.6 billion. Australia is ranked 14th, behind Turkey, Mexico, Canada and others.
The AMWU also has a paper which outlines the opportunities for Australian manufacturing, titled Making Our Future: Just transitions for climate change mitigation.
Dave Oliver said Australia needs to make a strong commitment to drive innovation and invest in renewable energy.
“The $652 million investment in the Renewable Energy Super Fund announced in the Federal Budget will help grow Australian renewable energy manufacturing.
“It’s a good start towards combating climate change and ending our fossil-fuel dependence. It’s also recognition that green jobs are the future of Australia’s manufacturing industry.”