A Closer Look at Green Job Distribution Across Global Megacities

The “Global Good Green Jobs in C40 Cities” report, conducted by C40 Cities and Circle Economy, offers an extensive analysis of green jobs in 74 global megacities across five continents. Cities play a pivotal role in driving the green economy transition, attracting public and private investments in green job creation, and fostering an equitable workforce.

Using publicly available city data and nationally available data down-scaled to the city level, this research provides insights into green jobs that exist across various sectors. A consistent methodology across regions captures how these jobs are distributed by sector and location, offering a clear view of the current green workforce.

The findings indicate that of the 168 million jobs evaluated, nearly 16 million—about 10%—qualify as green jobs, comprising approximately 10 million direct green jobs and 6 million indirect green jobs. The highest concentrations of green employment are found in sectors heavily impacted by climate-focused public policies, such as transportation, waste management, electricity, and construction. Sectors with over 25% green jobs already include water supply, waste management, transportation, energy generation, and construction.

Cities with the largest share of green jobs, exceeding 20%, include Freetown (Sierra Leone), Nairobi (Kenya), Accra (Ghana), Lima (Peru), and Bangkok (Thailand).

Regional differences are also evident. In Africa, green jobs account for 12% of total employment across 12 cities, equating to over 2.3 million jobs. In Latin America, 11% of jobs, or 3 million, are green. In East and Southeast Asia and Oceania, green jobs make up 9% across 11 cities, totaling 3.3 million jobs. North America follows closely, with green jobs representing 8.5% across 17 cities, or 3.4 million jobs. In Europe, 8% of jobs in 18 cities are green, accounting for 2.3 million positions.

The climate action offers a unique opportunity to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Key sectors like construction and manufacturing not only hold high potential for green job creation but also have the capacity to address inequalities within the workforce. As cities continue to lead in green job growth, they are setting a precedent for how urban centers worldwide can balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.