Australia could become a global leader in creating green industries generating up to a million green collar jobs by 2030 and multi-billion dollar export opportunities in green technology.

That is the finding of a new report from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF).

The Green Gold Rush: How ambitious environmental policy can make Australia a leader in the global race for green jobs report says Australia is extremely well-positioned to capitalise in six key industries: renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water industries, biomaterials, green buildings and waste recycling.

“Australia is well placed to lead an economic renewal based around clean industries and green jobs,” says ACF Executive Director Don Henry.

According to the report, rapid action is necessary to compete with countries such as Germany and Denmark that are greening their workforces and dominating the international green market in solar and wind technology.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow says government policy settings and private investment are needed immediately to reach a target of nearly a million green jobs by 2030.

“By establishing a strong domestic market in these sectors, Australia will also develop the skills and expertise necessary to compete in the international green energy market which is currently worth $US1.4 trillion dollars. We can’t afford to miss the boat,” says Ms Burrow.

The report’s analysis was based on 30 green industries globally.

“It’s up to government to lead the way with a strong 2020 target to cut greenhouse emissions and ambitious environmental policies to drive investment in green industries like solar and wind energy and green infrastructure, such as new railways,” says Mr Henry.

For a copy of Green Gold Rush: How ambitious environmental policy can make Australia a leader in the global race for green jobs click here.

For a fact sheet on the report click here.