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

Electricity

Sector Solutions	Local Economy & Employment	Cost and Price Pressure	Skilled Labor Opportunities	Wages & Benefits	Property Values/Tax	Infrastructure Requirements
Large Scale Solar
Cogeneration
Rooftop Solar
Demand Response
Landfill Methane

Buildings & Materials

Sector Solutions	Local Economy & Employment	Cost and Price Pressure	Skilled Labor Opportunities	Wages & Benefits	Property Values/Tax	Infrastructure Requirements
Recycling/Waste Management
Refrigerant Management
Retrofitting

Food & Agriculture

Sector Solutions	Local Economy & Employment	Cost and Price Pressure	Skilled Labor Opportunities	Wages & Benefits	Property Values/Tax	Infrastructure Requirements
Composting
Climate Smart Agriculture
Plant-Based Diet
Reduced Food Waste

Land Sinks

Sector Solutions	Local Economy & Employment	Cost and Price Pressure	Skilled Labor Opportunities	Wages & Benefits	Property Values/Tax	Infrastructure Requirements
Wetlands Protection
Planting Trees
Forest Management

Transportation

Sector Solutions	Local Economy & Employment	Cost and Price Pressure	Skilled Labor Opportunities	Wages & Benefits	Property Values/Tax	Infrastructure Requirements
Energy Efficient Cars
Energy Efficient Trucks
Mass Transit
Electric Vehicles
Alternative Mobility

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

READ ON

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

READ ON

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

READ ON

read all stories & studies

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).