GREEN TRANSFORMATION: TRENDS AND PROSPECTS OF GREEN JOBS IN ROMANIA
Veronica ȚARAN-BACIU GEORGESCU1, Emanuela-Adina NICULA2, Viorel GLIGOR3, Alexandru-Sabin NICULA4
1 Doctoral School of Economics II, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Piața Romană 8, 010375, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: tbaciuveronica@yahoo.com
2 Mountain Economy Center / “Costin C. Kirițescu” National Institute for Economic Research, Romanian Academy, Petreni St., 49, 725700, Vatra Dornei, Romania; e-mail: emanuela.nicula@ce-mont.ro
3 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography, Department of Regional Geography and Territorial Planning, Clinicilor St. 5-7, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; e-mail: viorel.gligor@ubbcluj.ro
4 Babeş-Bolyai University, STAR-UBB Excellence Research Academic Network (STAR-UBB-N), Mihail Kogălniceanu St. 1, 400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, e-mail: sabin.nicula@ubbcluj.ro
ABSTRACT. Green Transformation: Trends and Prospects of Green Jobs in Romania. This study investigates the trends and potential of green jobs in Romania, particularly focusing on sectors crucial to the green economy, such as agriculture, energy, and waste management. The emergence of green jobs signifies a shift towards ecological sustainability and economic resilience, highlighted by the growth in sectors A (Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing), D (Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply), and E (Water Supply; Sewerage, Waste Management, and Remediation Activities) from NACE rev.2 codes. The analysis reveals an evolving labor market, with an increase in sustainable agricultural practices and a shift towards more sustainable energy production methods. Furthermore, significant increases in average annual net wages across these sectors from 2018 to 2023 suggest an appreciation of labor value in green jobs, potentially reflecting heightened demand, technological advancements, and a shift towards more specialized skill sets. This study contributes to the academic discourse on green jobs, offering valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the labor market in fostering a sustainable and resilient economy. Future research should address methodological limitations, explore the impact of policy interventions, and examine the role of technological advancements in developing green jobs in Romania.
Keywords: green jobs; sustainable development; GIS; agriculture; energy; waste management; labor market dynamics; Romania.