The Potential for Creating Green Jobs in the Brazilian Ecoindustry

Objective: The aim of the study is to estimate green jobs in Brazil from the sectoral approach, in other words, the jobs allocated in eco-industry establishments in Brazil. Studies carried out internationally highlight the importance of green jobs and investment in the sector to overcome economic crises. Theoretical Framework: Evidence has shown that these are concentrated in urbanized regions and in sectors of greater technological intensity. In Brazil, there is a lack of official statistics on the sector that produces environmental goods and services, as well as specific data on green jobs. Method: The research methodology was carried out by survey and cataloguing of establishments that produce environmental goods and services in Brazil, based on the OECD list of environmental products and environmental technology fairs and magazines and contact with companies to identify formal jobs. Results and Discussion: The results showed that, for 8.23% of the 848 companies identified, green jobs were concentrated in more industrialised regions, in renewable energy segments – with indications of regional deconcentration in these segments – in private activities and in national capital. More than 170,000 jobs were estimated for 2020 and 2021. One of the limitations was the difficulty in obtaining responses from companies, especially green and small companies. Research Implications: This study stands out from others by employing an alternative methodology, revealing jobs in companies whose nature would be difficult to capture using official statistics, given that they are no longer comprehensive and disaggregated. Originality/Value: The study contributes by mapping the eco-industry in Brazil and providing a specific and detailed method for estimating green jobs, thereby assisting in the potential development of policies.