Lexi Webster
Climate change is one of the biggest risks to global development, and Australia is no exception. The effects of climate change on the labour market are already being felt, with rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events impacting infrastructure, jobs, and livelihoods. Climate change is expected to affect both existing and future jobs in Australia, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism, energy, and infrastructure. Up to 46% of jobs in these industries are at risk, with extreme weather conditions limiting crop growth and reducing agricultural productivity. However, the transition to renewable energy and the development of new technologies are expected to create new job opportunities, with a positive outlook for green scenarios compared to business as usual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jobs at risk | Manufacturing, trade, agriculture, mining, services (including <co: 6,7,10>tourism) and construction |
| Percentage of jobs at risk | Up to 46% |
| Percentage of Australian workforce exposed to emissions-intensive sectors | 23% |
| Number of jobs that could be lost by 2070 | 880,000 |
| Projected GDP loss by 2070 | $3.4 trillion |
| Number of jobs that could be created by embracing net zero transition | 250,000 |
| Number of jobs in renewable energy sector | 26,000 |
| Projected number of jobs to be created by climate change globally by 2030 | 24 million |
| Number of clean jobs added in the US | 1.2 million |
| Number of jobs in renewable energy in China | 3.4 million |
| Number of jobs in renewable energy in Germany | 370,000 |
| Projected loss of working hours worldwide by 2030 due to heat stress | 2% |
| Projected loss of agricultural yield per degree of global warming | 10% |
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What You'll Learn
Climate change will cost Australia millions of jobs by 2070
Climate change is one of the biggest risks to global development, and Australia is no exception. The effects of climate change on Australia's unique natural environment, including its frigid Arctic and bushfires, have impacted the country's employment landscape. According to a report by Deloitte Access Economics, up to 880,000 Australian jobs could be lost by 2070 due to unchecked climate change, resulting in a potential $3.4 trillion loss in GDP. This equates to a significant number of jobs being lost over the next five decades.
The industries most at risk of physical damage from climate change include manufacturing, trade, agriculture, mining, services (including tourism), and construction. These sectors collectively account for up to 46% of jobs in Australia. Within these sectors, certain occupations are particularly vulnerable. For example, outdoor labour in construction may become a health risk due to increased temperatures, and farmers are already experiencing challenges due to extreme weather conditions and changing precipitation patterns, leading to reduced agricultural productivity.
However, it's important to note that the transition to a green economy and increased climate action can create new job opportunities. The renewable energy sector in Australia currently employs about 26,000 people, and this number is expected to grow with the right policy decisions. Tasmania, for instance, has jobs in hydro and wind electricity generation, and there is potential for a new green hydrogen production industry. Additionally, there are emerging roles in environmental law, disaster response social work, and sustainability advisory positions within organisations.
To mitigate the potential job losses, Australia can embrace a "green recovery" path. This approach could create more than 250,000 jobs by 2070, with specific state projections for New South Wales at 50,000 jobs, Victoria at 30,000, and South Australia at 150,000. By investing in climate action and transitioning to a decarbonized economy, Australia can create new jobs while addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
In summary, while climate change poses a significant threat to Australia's job market, with the potential loss of millions of jobs by 2070, there are also opportunities to create new jobs through a focus on sustainability and renewable energy. A proactive approach to addressing climate change can help Australia balance economic growth with environmental protection.
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Jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction will change
Agriculture is at risk due to the effects of climate change on food availability and quality. Extreme weather conditions and changes in precipitation patterns are detrimental to crop growth, reducing agricultural productivity. This will result in a decrease in yield, with some models projecting losses of up to 10% per degree of global warming for certain crops. Farmers are already adapting to these changes by moving towards urban farming, which provides more controlled conditions.
Manufacturing jobs are also at risk, particularly those in emissions-intensive sectors. The transition to a decarbonized economy and the move away from fossil fuels will impact the manufacturing industry, although it is worth noting that ambitious climate change mitigation policies could also create new jobs in this sector.
Construction jobs are vulnerable due to the increase in temperatures, as labouring outdoors will become a health concern and limit workers' ability to perform tasks. Up to 46% of jobs in the construction industry are at risk due to the physical damages of climate change.
While climate change poses significant challenges to these industries, it is important to recognize that it also creates new opportunities for employment. For example, the renewable energy sector in Australia currently employs about 26,000 people, and this number is expected to grow with the right policy decisions. Additionally, the shift towards renewable energy and energy efficiency is projected to result in net job creation across most economies by 2030.
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Urban farming will create thousands of jobs
Climate change is already impacting the types of jobs available in Australia, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Some industries are at risk of physical damage from climate change, including manufacturing, trade, agriculture, mining, services (including tourism), and construction.
However, new job opportunities are also being created as a result of climate change, particularly in the area of urban farming. Urban farming, or the practice of growing food in cities or urban areas, has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Australia. While it may not be able to meet all of a city's nutritional needs, urban farming can play a crucial role in raising awareness about nutrition and food security. Additionally, it can provide a more stable and controlled environment for crop growth compared to traditional outdoor farming, which is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions caused by climate change.
The World Bank has highlighted the significant employment impact of urban farming, with an estimated 1,000 to 15,000 jobs created worldwide. In Australia, urban farming jobs are already being advertised, particularly in major cities like Sydney. For example, at the Western Sydney Parklands in Eastern Creek, 16 urban farmers operate on a 264-hectare plot, selling their produce on-site and at markets across Sydney.
Urban farming is also gaining traction globally, with successful examples in Dubai, Singapore, and France. These urban farms utilize innovative technologies, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, to maximize space and minimize water usage. By embracing these new methods, urban farming has the potential to become a significant source of employment and food production in Australia, contributing to the country's food security and economic growth.
Furthermore, the renewable energy sector in Australia is expected to create numerous jobs. Tasmania, for instance, offers jobs in hydro and wind electricity generation and may expand into green hydrogen production. These new opportunities in renewable energy, alongside the growing trend of urban farming, highlight how climate change is reshaping the job market in Australia and creating thousands of new positions.
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Renewable energy will create jobs in Tasmania
Climate change is expected to significantly impact the job market in Australia, with up to 880,000 jobs at risk by 2070, according to a report by Deloitte Access Economics. Industries such as manufacturing, trade, agriculture, mining, services, and construction are particularly vulnerable. However, the transition to renewable energy offers new opportunities for employment.
In Tasmania, the renewable energy sector is already creating jobs in hydro and wind electricity generation, and there is potential for further growth in green hydrogen production. Hydro Tasmania, for example, offers a range of vacancies, including positions for experienced tradespeople and professionals with backgrounds in site outage management within heavy industrial environments.
The Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania also offers permanent positions, such as site administrators, with salaries ranging from $109,612 to $127,070 plus superannuation. Additionally, jobs in hydropower and large-scale renewable energy refurbishment projects are available, with salaries ranging from $113,448 to $131,517 plus superannuation and allowances.
The shift towards renewable energy in Tasmania is not only creating jobs in the energy sector but also in related fields. For example, SCADA engineers and technicians are in demand for working on HV electrical installations, power stations, switchyards, and substations. These roles offer salaries starting from $130,878 plus superannuation and allowances.
The development of renewable energy projects in Tasmania is expected to create a range of direct and indirect jobs, contributing to the state's economic growth and helping to mitigate the potential job losses associated with climate change.
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Extreme weather events will destroy jobs
Extreme weather events caused by climate change will have a significant impact on jobs in Australia. Climate change is already costing the world $16 million per hour, and this will only increase as the frequency and severity of extreme weather events rise.
One of the most vulnerable industries is agriculture. Extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and floods, are detrimental to crop growth and reduce agricultural productivity. This will not only affect farmers but also the wider community, as food availability and quality decrease. As a result, many farmers are moving towards urban farming, which provides more controlled conditions. While urban farming has created jobs, the overall impact on the agricultural industry is negative.
The construction industry is also at risk due to extreme weather. Higher temperatures will make laboring outdoors a health concern and limit workers' ability to perform tasks. This could result in job losses and a decrease in construction projects, further affecting related industries such as manufacturing and trade.
Additionally, extreme weather events will impact tourism, a significant industry for Australia. Heatwaves and natural disasters will lead to a decrease in tourism, affecting the many jobs that rely on this sector, including hospitality, transportation, and entertainment.
The effects of extreme weather events on jobs in Australia are far-reaching. While some industries may adapt and create new opportunities, such as in renewable energy, the overall disruption caused by these events will result in job losses and economic challenges for the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Climate change is expected to impact jobs in Australia in multiple ways. A report by Deloitte Access Economics estimates that up to 880,000 Australian jobs could be lost by 2070 across industries such as manufacturing, trade, agriculture, mining, services, and construction. However, embracing a "green recovery" could create more than 250,000 jobs in the same period.
Climate change can affect jobs in Australia by reducing labor productivity, outputs, and incomes across diverse sectors. For example, extreme weather conditions can negatively impact agricultural productivity, leading to potential job losses in the industry. Additionally, the construction industry may face challenges due to health concerns associated with laboring outdoors in increasing temperatures.
Yes, the transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices can create new job opportunities in Australia. For instance, the renewable energy sector in Australia currently employs about 26,000 people, and there is potential for growth in areas like green hydrogen production. Additionally, initiatives promoting low-carbon technology and climate mitigation policies can drive economic growth and create additional jobs.
