Our Vision for an Invested Baltimore
The diverse and interconnecting factors motivating individuals, companies, and governments to act and invest more sustainably is also creating demand for new products, services, and jobs. With vision, forethought, and planning, Baltimore can position itself to become a leader in an emerging green economy.
The "green economy" is an economy based on jobs that help protect the environment by reducing energy, material and water use, while at the same time reducing the amount of pollution and waste created. In contrast, a pollution-based economy relies heavily on machinery, which is often energy and pollution intensive, as opposed to the green economy which focuses on human capital, creating jobs and social investment. In 2008, Baltimore was ranked as the 10th most sustainable city in the country and 5th in the creation of a Green Economy by the organization SustainLane (http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/overall-rankings).
In order to sustain a green economy, businesses and consumers must work together to recognize that manufacturing processes, employment practices, and resource conservation should influence trade decisions as much, if not more, than price alone. The tide is already beginning to shift. Many consumers are realizing the added value of environmentally-friendly products and are willing to pay an initial premium for products that will save their wallets and the environment over time.
Consumers are also beginning to see the value of interacting directly with producers, shopping at farmer’s markets and buying locally-produced goods. Buying local is not just limited to the purchase of fruits and vegetables grown locally. It also applies to craft workers, repair services and so on. Not only does buying local products from local businesses keep nearby businesses open and your neighbors working, it also reduces the energy inputs necessary to bring the goods from their point of origin to your home.
Green jobs are the foundation of the green economy. Employment opportunities related to renewable energy, alternative fuels, organic produce and products, green building, and recycling or reuse of materials could be considered green jobs. A green job pays a living wage, takes place in a safe work environment, and provides opportunities for advancement.
According to an October 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors report, green jobs could be the fastest growth sector in the U.S. economy over the next few decades. The report also estimates that 85% of the green jobs created in 2006 were located in metropolitan areas.
Forecasted job growth for the U.S. in the Report [1]
Green Jobs 2038 - U.S. Total
|
Industry |
2018 |
2028 |
2038 |
|
Renewable Power Generation |
407,200 |
802,000 |
1,236,800 |
|
Residential & Commercial Retrofitting |
81,000 |
81,000 |
81,000 |
|
Renewable Transportation Fuels |
1,205,700 |
1,437,700 |
1,492,000 |
|
Engineering, Legal, Research & Consulting |
846,900 |
1,160,300 |
1,404,900 |
|
Total |
2,540,800 |
3,481,000 |
4,214,700 |
In July 2007, Congress passed the “Green Jobs Act” which made $125 million in grants available to train workers for the green economy, particularly those jobs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy. This initiative will also create a national research program to collect and analyze labor market data resulting from energy-related initiatives. The Associated Press recently reported that the U.S. alternative energy industry collected approximately $3.3 billion in venture capital investment during the first nine months of 2008, up from $2.6 billion in all of 2007.[2]
In the face of such opportunity, switching to a green economy makes good sense and requires action. New jobs will be created and many jobs will be modified. New training programs and additional skill sets will be required to meet the labor demands of this new economy. Training programs for new employees entering the green workforce will be different than retraining sessions needed for existing workers. Indeed, the resulting workforce will be better trained and more technologically skilled than ever before.
Baltimore has experienced the problems associated with disappearing industry and rising unemployment for decades. According the U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment for Baltimore City was 7.1% in September 2008, compared to 4.6% in the greater Baltimore-Towson metropolitan area.[3] An investment in green jobs can help revive Baltimore’s employment base and open up new opportunities to historically unemployed and underemployed groups.
Industry, government, trade unions and educational institutions must work together to ensure that the workforce is trained to match the jobs that are in demand. Together, business and consumers can regain control of the environment and the economy through thoughtful, informed decision-making. By working together, a green economy can thrive here in Baltimore.
Green Economy Goal 1
Create green jobs and prepare city residents for these jobs
Green jobs have come to represent employment opportunities associated with a clean, as opposed to a pollution-based, economy. The Industrial Revolution brought a shift from human labor to machines and with that a drastic increase in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. As we look for ways to reduce our contribution to climate change, minimize waste streams, and conserve natural resources, there is great potential for job creation. As discussion of green jobs attracts more attention at the national level, we want to position Baltimore as a market ready to receive, train for, and fill those jobs.
Strategy A: Add clean technology to Baltimore’s targeted growth sectors
Expand the six industry sectors slated for growth by Baltimore Workforce Investment Board (BWIB) in 2000 by adding clean technologies. This new category includes alternative energy, renewable fuels, energy efficiency technology, waste reduction, environmental services, and green building materials. Adding this sector list will place green jobs among the priority areas that are offered assistance for growth.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Policy
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: BWIB, MOED, BDC
Strategy B: Conduct needs assessment of green job demand
Perform a solid analysis of job demand and potential as an essential first step to developing a large-scale green job training program. Existing job training programs need to be inventoried and analyzed with all workforce development organizations. Local businesses involved in clean industries should be an integral component of this process and ensure that the skills being taught reflect current employer needs.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Existing Program Funds
- Lead Partners: BOS, OED, Construction and Energy Technologies Education Consortium (CETEC), Maryland Division of Labor and Industry (DLLR)
Strategy C: Link existing job training programs to the information provided in the green jobs needs assessment
Provide job specific training focusing on underemployed and unemployed persons in Baltimore to capture unique opportunities provided by the new green economy. This will further strengthen Baltimore’s communities and local employers.
- Timeframe: Short and Mid-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: OED,BOS
Strategy D: Encourage the employment of Baltimore residents in City clean energy projects
Look to existing programs that aim to revitalize neighborhoods by easing employment barriers experienced by historically underemployed groups. As the City undertakes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability-related projects, promoting existing programs like First Source Hiring Program and Baltimore City Residents First will help ensure that Baltimore residents can benefit from the green jobs created.
- Timeframe: Short and Mid-term
- Type: Policy/Operational
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: Department of Finance (DoF)
Strategy E: Convene Green Collar Summit
Hold a summit to begin the discussion about designing and developing partnerships and programs needed to grow the Green Collar industry. Key players to invite include government, non-profit, and private sector entities with appropriate knowledge, interest, and expertise. Potential funding and financing opportunities and mechanisms should also be identified from federal, state, and private sources.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Grant Programs; City Funds
- Lead Partners: DoF,OED, Construction and Energy Technologies Education Consortium (CETEC), DLLR
Strategy F: Develop a strategy to secure available funding
Identify all available funding sources to support Baltimore’s green economic programs and complete necessary forms, paperwork, or applications to capture the funding.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Existing Program Funds Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: BOS, BDC, OED
Green Economy Goal 2
Make Baltimore a center for green business
The emerging clean economy brings with it both job and entrepreneurial opportunities. By cultivating a fertile ground for green business, Baltimore can help create jobs, widen the tax base, and attract investment in industries slated for major growth in the years ahead. Cities throughout the country are vying to nurture, attract, and retain green businesses. With the wealth of local colleges and universities, industrial infrastructure, and proximity to major markets, Baltimore is well equipped to offer the intellectual capital, location, and amenities desired by green industries.
Strategy A: Leverage Baltimore’s natural amenities attractive to green technology businesses
Highlight and market the particular elements of Baltimore’s infrastructure and facilites that are most useful to green businesses. Baltimore has excellent port, rail, and highway systems as well as a large concentration of emerging medical technology centers and numerous colleges and universities.
- Timeframe: Medium-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Federal Funds
- Lead Partners: Baltimore Development Corporation
Strategy B: Establish and market creative financing strategies for local green businesses
Attract and support green businesses and help them secure the financing mechanisms they need to thrive. The economic landscape for clean technology is constantly changing due to volatile commodity prices, new discoveries, and government incentives. Financing opportunities are equally dynamic and require dedicated personnel to ensure the most appropriate agreements are achieved.
- Timeframe: Medium-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Grant Programs; Federal Funds
- Lead Partners: Department of Finance, Baltimore Development Corporation, Business Community
Strategy C: Encourage construction industry to use “green” building practices
Institute programs to help Baltimore’s existing builders use energy efficient and recycled materials. Give priority to builders who are LEED-certified, have strong environmental records, and commit to training and hiring locally.
- Timeframe: Mid-term
- Type: Standards
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: Department of Finance, Maryland Division of Labor and Industry
Green Economy Goal 3
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Support local Baltimore businesses
Supporting local businesses is economically, socially, and environmentally beneficial for Baltimore. Local businesses create of a pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers; act as a source of innovation in products, services and techniques; link socially, economically, and geographically diverse sectors; and provide a training ground for entrepreneurial and managerial talent. In addition, local businesses have a greater allegiance to their communities, provide civic leadership, increase sales tax revenues, and give our city a unique identity. Non-profit organizations receive 350% more support from local business owners than from non-locally owned businesses. Businesses which are unique locally are good for local tourism as well, attracting visitors that want a more distinct Baltimore. Additionally, purchasing goods and services locally reduces the need to travel, saving fuel, improving air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Strategy A: Educate Baltimore City residents on the importance of supporting local businesses
Create more support for local businesses by highlighting the economic, social, and environmental value of buying local.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Grant Programs; Existing City Programs
- Lead Partners: CSBA, BDC, MOWMOB
Strategy B: Develop tools to connect local suppliers to businesses, consumers, and government
Support the use of local business transactions to curb the loss of consumer, business, and government dollars that go to purchasing products and services from companies outside of our community. Evaluate methods used by the Oregon Marketplace program, which links local suppliers with local buyers. In its first year, the program generated $2.5 million in new contracts and 100 new jobs for Oregon. Promote an online marketplace (e.g. www.buylocalbaltimore.com), a database that facilitates wholesale business-to-business transactions and consumer retail purchasing from independent businesses committed to a healthy workplace, environment, and local economy.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Grant Programs; Existing Program Funds
- Lead Partners: CSBA, BDC
Strategy C: Increase local government purchasing of local products
Change purchasing specifications to give preference to local firms that pay a living wage and share profits and ownership with workers, or to those that will help the City establish a foothold in the emerging environmentally sustainable economy. Consider a strategy similar to that in Washington D.C., through which a 5% preference for local firms is given in procurement bids.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Policy/Operational
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: DoF, OED
Green Economy Goal 4
Raise Baltimore’s profile as a forward thinking, green city
The global market for environmental products and services is projected to double from $1,370 billion per year at present to $2,740 billion by 2020, according to a study cited in the Green Jobs: Toward Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Cost Worldreport. Branding Baltimore as a progressive, green city has the potential to attract “green” investors and businesses as well as residents who are drawn to the quality of life provided by a sustainable city. Positive exposure for Baltimore’s progress in the realm of sustainability can ultimately benefit the local economy and people.
Strategy A: Create a brand for Baltimore’s Sustainability initiative
Develop and implement a highly recognizable brand for Baltimore’s sustainability activities and initiatives. Leverage a brand to demonstrate the interconnectivity and common vision of the initiatives involved in creating a sustainable Baltimore.
- Timeframe: Short-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Grant Programs
- Lead Partners: Department of Tourism
Strategy B: Attract sustainability-related conventions and events to Baltimore
Identify new opportunities to bring sustainability related events to Baltimore, such as the National Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference in 2008. Bringing sustainability-related events to Baltimore provides our community with chances to learn and gives the City a chance to highlight its work in this arena. The newly-opened convention center, which boasts one of the largest green roofs in the state, offers and excellent venue for such events, and this fact will be included in all promotional materials.
- Timeframe: Mid-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: BACVA, BOPA, Local Institutional Partners
Strategy C: Target the tourism industry to promote Baltimore as a green city
Enlist local hotels, tour operators, and visitor travel outlets to communicate information about Baltimore’s sustainability efforts. This will encourage people to visit Baltimore, as well as enable them to take the message home to share with others. The message will encourage visotors to be good stewards of our city during their time in Baltimore. The City will provide incentives to hotels and/or convention planners who conduct “green” events (composting and recycling, avoiding bottled water, using local food etc.).
- Timeframe: Mid-term
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Cost Neutral
- Lead Partners: BACVA, BOS, Partners
Strategy D: Support innovative and pilot projects and technologies
Demonstrate leadership in Baltimore by leading by example and support the testing of new technologies and science to advance sustainable initiatives.
- Timeframe: Ongoing
- Type: Partnership
- Funding Source: Grant Programs; Existing Program Funds
- Lead Partners: Baltimore City Government, Green Businesses, Communities, NGOs
[1] The United States Conference of Mayors, U.S. Metro Economies, Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy (Lexington, MA : Global Insight, Inc., Oct 2008) 17.
[2] Associated Press, “Highlights of Renewable Energy Issues”. Nov 13, 2008, www.news.moneycentral.msn.com
[3] The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, (Sep 2008) http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/outside.jsp?survey=la (accessed Nov 20, 2008)