Nearly 5 percent of Missouri’s total employment, or more than 130,000 positions, are now tied to the green economy, a new report shows.

A first-of-its-kind study of the state’s green industry sectors by the Missouri Department of Economic Development found that nearly half (47 percent) of the companies indicated they currently produce or install green goods, research or develop green products, or supply green services. Another 9 percent of Missouri employers plan to begin offering green products and services within the coming year, according to the study.

Industries covered in the survey included energy production, manufacturing, farming, building, waste management, and recycling and government.

Missouri’s green building sector accounted for the largest share of activity and employment (52 percent), followed by green energy production (19 percent) and green manufacturing (13 percent).

Green farming represents 3 percent of Missouri’s present green economy but is seeing increasing growth as interest rises in bio-fuels, sustainable forestry and organic foods, the study said.

Most green employers in Missouri (71 percent) said the economic slowdown is the biggest barrier to hiring additional green workers.

But growth in these fields is expected to be eight times faster than the state average rate over the next decade, according to the study.

Common occupations cited in the study were environmental scientists; environmental engineering technicians; construction managers; heating and air conditioning mechanics; and refuse and recyclable material collectors.

Read the whole study here.

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