green-collar

[green-kol-er]

adjective

1. noting or relating to workers, jobs, or businesses that are involved in protecting the environment or solving environmental problems.

   green-collar careers in renewable energy and other technologies.

2. noting or relating to actions that negatively affect the environment.

   green-collar crime such as illegal logging.

noun

1. a green-collar worker.

green-collar

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating workers involved in environmental protection, or employed by companies that have protection of the environment as a stated aim

Word History and Origins

Origin of green-collar¹

First recorded in 1990–95; green (in the sense “environmentally sound or beneficial”), on the model of blue-collar ( def. ), blue-collar ( def. )

Example Sentences

Young people in community organizations will soon be paid $15 an hour to become stewards of the land, which Gregory says prepares them for careers in green-collar jobs such as forest ecology and landscaping.

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The Welsh Conservatives' energy spokeswoman Janet Finch-Saunders said Wales' natural resources provide the opportunity to help stimulate the economy with the creation of "long-term green-collar jobs".

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“Today’s announcement is a historic step forward in Maine’s effort to embrace renewable energy, create good paying green-collar jobs, diversify and expand our economy, and combat the threat of climate change,” Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said.

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In his 2011 mayoral report, Johnson said his policies promised to deliver to the city 14,000 "green-collar" jobs by 2025.

Read more on Science Magazine

The legislation would establish a grant program to support public outreach programs, improve quality and access to education for green-collar jobs, and build capacity so local communities can address climate mitigation and adaptation issues.

Read more on The Guardian