Comparative Analysis of Employment From Air Emission Reduction Measures

This review, completed for Environment Canada, summarized the employment creation benefits of various energy efficiency and renewable energy actions that contribute to greenhouse gas reductions and air quality improvements.

Over 30 studies and research reports of job creation from energy-related economic activities were reviewed and analyzed. On average, energy efficiency investments (e.g. building retrofits) create over 35 person years of employment per million dollars invested. This is about four times as many jobs as average levels for equivalent investments in energy supply: three times as many as alternative energy supply (e.g. solar, biomass) and five times as many as conventional energy supply (e.g. oil, gas).