Finance and Innovation Goal 2

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Green workforce programs

FI-2.1: Support and scale up existing green workforce programs, identify gaps for new programs

The renewable energy sector is increasingly one of the largest employers in a previously oil-and-gas driven economy. There is significant opportunity to engage with climate action through existing workforce and training efforts that could use a boost. There are also potential gaps where new programs are appropriate and necessary to provide green workforce opportunities to new generations. Engaging trade organizations to help develop updated training for members on new methods and approaches to energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions may also prove useful in filling identified training and workforce gaps.

Equity considerations/opportunities

Retraining/reskilling could provide green collar job opportunities for unemployed or underemployed individuals.

  • Mitigation
  • Adaptation
  • Mitigation
  • Adaptation

Existing ties

FI-2.2: Tie climate action to existing accelerators and incubators

The Kansas City region is rich in entrepreneurship activity, with many existing and upcoming business accelerators and innovation incubators.

By working with the existing startup and entrepreneurship community, we can leverage the established assets and encourage climate considerations in startup activities wherever possible.

This may also attract new or different startups to the local accelerators for a focus on climate-sensitive solutions to problems.

Emphasis should be placed on providing equity to and incubation of minority-owned businesses and other communities with historical underinvestment.

Equity considerations/opportunities

Emphasis on minority-owned businesses and underinvested communities should be a priority when looking at business incubation. Since entrepreneurial acceleration is needed to drive climate-sensitive solutions, minority-owned startups and startups originated in traditionally underserved neighborhoods can address the disproportionately negative impacts that business as usual can have on their community.