U.S. clean energy sector must expand hiring beyond white males – report

Sept. 9 (Reuters) – In the United States, clean energy jobs are predominantly dominated by white males, and efforts to boost industries such as renewables and electric vehicles should ensure that women and people of color are not neglected, according to a report released Thursday.

More than 60% of workers in jobs in clean energy industries like electric vehicles, solar power and energy efficiency are white, according to analysis by consulting firm BW Research Partnership. The study was commissioned by environmental advocacy group E2, the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS) and Energy Efficiency for All.

Representatives of these groups said the report showed clean energy policies being considered under infrastructure legislation in Congress must include measures to increase diversity.

“There are a lot of policies being discussed in Washington right now,” BOSS board member Nicole Sitaraman said in a virtual press conference. “Now is the time to really make sure that racial equity in the form of funding, investment for businesses and organizations led by people of color can benefit from the policies that will hopefully be enacted soon. “

Black workers are particularly under-represented in the sector, accounting for just 8% of clean energy jobs, compared to 13% of the national workforce.

Latinos hold about 17% of clean energy jobs, up from 18% nationally, according to the study, noting that their job gains have been largely in low-paying occupations such as construction.

Women’s participation in the industry has declined in recent years, in part due to the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Women now represent 27% of the sector’s workforce, up from 29% four years ago. This compares to almost 50% of the national workforce.

Overall, people of color account for 27% of clean energy jobs, more than the 22% of the economy as a whole. This is largely because clean energy has about four times as many workers who say they belong to two or more races than the national workforce.

Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by David Gregorio

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