State of Environment Reporting

Employment Trends in the Environmental Industry

Environment Industry Employment

SOURCES: Statistics Canada, Environment Industry: Business Sector, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.

Employment trends in the environmental industry

• The environmental technology and services industry is a dynamic component of British Columbia’s rapidly diversifying economy. It provides leading-edge solutions in recycling, energy efficiency, alternative fuel, air emissions control and waste management.
  
  
• In 1998, British Columbia’s environmental industry generated nearly $1.8 billion in revenues and employed 20,910 people. This represents a 15% increase since 1995.
  
  
• Over 800 environmental firms, about 12-15% of Canada’s environment industry, are active in British Columbia. Most are small to medium-sized companies with fewer than 25 employees.
  
  
• The industry is focused on both domestic and international markets. More than 75% of environmental technology providers are pursuing projects internationally.
  
  
• The top two forces promoting environmental industry growth are enforcement of current environmental standards and development of new standards.