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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Green Goods and Services

Green Goods and Services (GGS)

The Green Goods and Services (GGS) Survey is an annual survey that has been developed to address the need for data on

the size and scope of the United State’s green economy.

Purpose

Scope

Definition

Data

Technical Note

Reference Periods

Uses

Forms of Publications

Purpose

The purpose of the GGS survey is to measure the employment associated with the production of green goods and services

from sampled establishments.

Scope

BLS has identified 325 detailed industries (6­digit NAICS) as potential producers of green goods and services. This

industry list (PDF) (XLS) constitutes the scope for the GGS survey. Within these industries, the survey will identify

establishments that produce green goods and services and estimate the number of jobs associated with the production of

green goods and services.

Definition

BLS has developed the following definition of green jobs for use in data collection:

Green jobs are jobs in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve

natural resources.

These goods and services are sold to customers, and include research and development, installation, and

maintenance services. Green goods and services fall into one or more of the following five categories:

1. Energy from renewable sources. Electricity, heat, or fuel generated from renewable sources. These

energy sources include wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, ocean, hydropower, and landfill gas and

municipal solid waste.

2. Energy ef iciency. Products and services that improve energy efficiency. Included in this group are

energy­efficient equipment, appliances, buildings, and vehicles, as well as products and services

that improve the energy efficiency of buildings and the efficiency of energy storage and distribution,

such as Smart Grid technologies.

3. Pollution reduction and removal, greenhouse gas reduction, and recycling and reuse. These are

products and services that:

Reduce or eliminate the creation or release of pollutants or toxic compounds, or remove pollutants

or hazardous waste from the environment.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through methods other than renewable energy generation and

energy efficiency, such as electricity generated from nuclear sources.

Reduce or eliminate the creation of waste materials; collect, reuse, remanufacture, recycle, or

compost waste materials or wastewater.

Natural resources conservation. Products and services that conserve natural resources. Included in this
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group are products and services related to organic agriculture and sustainable forestry; land management;

soil, water, or wildlife conservation; and stormwater management.

Environmental compliance, education and training, and public awareness. These are products and

services that:

Enforce environmental regulations.

Provide education and training related to green technologies and practices.

Increase public awareness of environmental issues.

Data

The GGS survey provides data on the total number of jobs related to production of green goods and services. These green

jobs will be tabulated by industry and by ownership for the nation, States, and the District of Columbia.

Technical Note

For additional information on GGS methodology and data collection, please see our Extended Technical Note (PDF).

Reference Periods

The reference period for the first Green Goods and Services Survey is calendar year 2010. The second Green Goods and

Services survey results have a reference period of calendar year 2011.

Uses

National economic policy

Business cycle analysis

Industry growth rates

Economic research and planning

Industry studies

Education and job training

Forms of Publications

Annual news release with descriptive tables

BLS database repository (LABSTAT)

For additional information, please contact us.

Last Modified Date: March 19, 2013

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Division of Information and Marketing Services, PSB Suite 2850, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE,

Washington, D.C. 20212

www.bls.gov/GGS | Telephone: 1­202­691­5200 | Contact Green Goods and Services