Beyond Carbon: Economy
Economy
Innovation is the engine of economic growth and renewal. Drawdown solutions can drive local economic and employment growth, bring high-skill jobs to our state, and drive infrastructure investments that make Georgia an attractive place to work and live.
Most solutions will create local jobs, especially in the solar and energy efficiency fields, however, it’s also possible that some solutions may displace workers, for example, as we shift from coal-powered electricity to renewable forms of energy. Other solutions can increase property values and tax revenues, but on the flip side, result in gentrification. Bringing together communities of leadership will help ensure a net economic benefit and a smooth transition to a thriving green economy.
Largely Positive
Areas to Watch or Address
Limited Impacts or Limited Data
| Sector Solutions | Local Economy & Employment |
Cost and Price Pressure |
Skilled Labor Opportunities |
Wages & Benefits |
Property Values/Tax |
Infrastructure Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Large Scale Solar
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Cogeneration
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Rooftop Solar
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Demand Response
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Landfill Methane
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| Sector Solutions | Local Economy & Employment |
Cost and Price Pressure |
Skilled Labor Opportunities |
Wages & Benefits |
Property Values/Tax |
Infrastructure Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recycling/Waste Management
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Refrigerant Management
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Retrofitting
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| Sector Solutions | Local Economy & Employment |
Cost and Price Pressure |
Skilled Labor Opportunities |
Wages & Benefits |
Property Values/Tax |
Infrastructure Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composting
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Climate Smart Agriculture
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Plant-Based Diet
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Reduced Food Waste
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| Sector Solutions | Local Economy & Employment |
Cost and Price Pressure |
Skilled Labor Opportunities |
Wages & Benefits |
Property Values/Tax |
Infrastructure Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wetlands Protection
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Planting Trees
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Forest Management
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| Sector Solutions | Local Economy & Employment |
Cost and Price Pressure |
Skilled Labor Opportunities |
Wages & Benefits |
Property Values/Tax |
Infrastructure Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Efficient Cars
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Energy Efficient Trucks
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Mass Transit
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Electric Vehicles
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Alternative Mobility
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Stories & Studies
The Social Cost of Carbon
One way that governments work to understand climate change is by examining the social cost of carbon, which seeks to determine the economic damage that comes from emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In other words, the social cost of carbon
Carbon Registries: Making the Most of Carbon Credits in Georgia
On May 7, 2021, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 355 (HB355) into law. The law amends the Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry (carbon registry) and creates a substantial opportunity to reduce emissions in Georgia and foster economic development. What
The Hidden Costs of Affordable Housing
Originally published by The Saporta Report, we’re pleased to repost this excellent piece by William D. Bryan, program manager with the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, on the importance of funding for energy-efficient retrofits as a crucial piece of the
Questions?
Why focus on refrigerants?
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are chemicals used to cool refrigerators and air conditioners. They are also an extremely potent greenhouse gas, with thousands of times the heat trapping potential of CO2. This class of chemicals was used to replace CFCs, a class of refrigerant chemicals that were phased out because they were depleting the ozone layer. In December 2020, Congress passed legislation to phase down HFCs nationwide by 40% by 2024 and by 85% by 2036. The phase down will be administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Which industries dominate in Georgia’s building products?
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia is a leader in paper and pulp products, with an economic output of $13.1 billion in 2018, representing almost 20,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in annual wages and salaries.
What is our current recycling rate?
In 2011, Georgia recycled only approximately 0.7 million tons out of 10.6 million tons of MSW, or a recycling rate of about 6.6%. This is significantly below the U.S. average rate of 22.6% reported by the same study (Shin, 2014).
