Does the knowledge economy advance the green economy? An evaluation of green jobs in the 100 largest metropolitan regions in the United States

Abstract

Institutions of higher education are significant economic engines and innovative places in local economies: they directly employ large numbers of people, often with well-paying jobs; they are magnets for businesses that service the student population; they educate and often assist students in securing first jobs; and they partner with local organizations and businesses to provide students with hands-on experiences while “giving-back” to the community. In this article, we examine the impact that institutions of higher education have as an engine of growth for the green economy and, specifically, assess their impact on the development of green jobs. Green jobs have been touted as an important strategy to simultaneously address both the economic downturn and environmental degradation. This article empirically assesses the impact that the knowledge economy has on the presence of green jobs in the 100 largest metropolitan regions in the United States. Our findings suggest that enhanced higher education and sustainability-oriented departments and centers have a positive impact on green job development in urban regions.