1. Green Jobs and Green Careers Presented by the UMaine Business School Net Impact Chapter Prof. Terry Porter April 27, 2011

2. Why Business? Why US Business? “Of the world’s 100 largest economic entities, 51 are corporations and 49 are countries” (Institute for Policy Studies) “The U.S. produced approximately 33% of the world’s waste with 4.6% of the world’s population in 2004” (Miller 1998). “USA has the largest per capita footprint in the world –9.57 hectares. If everyone on the planet lived like an average American, we would need 5 planets to support us all” http://www.buynothing.biz/blog/index.php?itemid=13 http://www.buynothing.biz/blog/index.php?itemid=13

3. Why Now? Global warming, resource depletion, poverty all increasing Increasing interdependence means that events in one part of the globe automatically affect events in other parts We need to lessen our impact, on the earth and on each other

4. The Opportunity 93% of CEOs now believe sustainability will be critical to the future success of their companies (UN) 80% of CEOs believe sustainability will be embedded in the core business strategies of most companies in the next 15 years (UN) Sustainability consulting is a “booming industry” that is expected to outpace all other small- and mid-size sectors in revenue and job growth in 2011 (The Wall St. Journal)

5. Sustainability Sustainable Business: "..Business activities that help meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (UN: Brundtland Commission 1987)

6. The Triple Bottom Line Businesses and development that are economically viable, socially acceptable, and deliver a net positive or neutral environmental performance.

7. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “A commitment to improve community well-being through discretionary business practices and contributions of corporate resources.”

8. Competitive Advantage Cost savings Waste reduction New products and product differentiation Supply chain management Reputation, goodwill Satisfy customer and activist demand Regulatory compliance, barriers to entry Crisis avoidance and mitigation

9. Where are the green jobs? They’re everywhere! Business has more power than any other institution to influence change in the status quo Every organization needs managers and business expertise

10. Four sources of green jobs Corporate Government Non-Profits Individual

11. Corporate and Mainstream business jobs I Direct--work for: ◦ Companies with CSR missions ◦ Sustainability Officer ◦ CSR Director ◦ VP of Corporate Citizenship ◦ Compliance Officer ◦ Volunteer Program manager Whole Foods Market Whole Trade Pineapple

12. Corporate and Mainstream business jobs II Indirect ◦ Companies with conventional missions seeking to improve sustainability footprint ◦ Change can be made from any department ◦ Operations, HRM, Supply chain management, Accounting and reporting, Marketing and brand management Global Sustainability at ESPN

13. Corporate and Mainstream business jobs III Restructuring the global economy will create not only new jobs in current businesses and industries; It will create whole new professions and specialties within professions. For example: ◦ Life Cycle Assessment Manager Life Cycle Assessment Manager ◦ LEED Green Building Associate LEED Green Building Associate

14. Green jobs in government In Maine

15. Green jobs in not-for-profits Cause related organizations ◦ Maine Audubon ◦ Amnesty International ◦ Habitat for Humanity

16. Green opportunities for individuals Consulting Social entrepreneurship ◦ B-Corps ◦ Ashoka

17. Skills for green job seekers Educate yourself! Seek and follow your passion Talk with others who share your interests Define for yourself what sustainability means in business Be willing to be a self-starter and a trailblazer in challenging the status quo

18. Network, network, network! Join student and professional sustainability organizations ◦ Net Impact Net Impact ◦ UMaine Business School MBA track UMaine Business School MBA track ◦ Maine Businesses for Sustainability Maine Businesses for Sustainability ◦ Greenbiz Greenbiz Attend meetings and ask lots of questions Seek or create an internship Informational interviews: ask others what they do

19. Final Thoughts Never give up! Build a network of like- minded colleagues. Verify! Don’t believe everything you hear. Learn something new every day.