Results of first ever ‘green’ sector job and salary survey

* 68 pct of green workers feel same or more job security

* Survey showed average salary in climate sector was $76,000

* Men dominate industry and earn more than women on average

By Michael Szabo

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) – The economic downturn has claimed the jobs of tens of millions worldwide but most in the thriving climate change sector feel just as safe in their jobs, if not more so, than they did a year ago, a new Reuters survey shows.

Some 68 percent of ‘green’ workers polled in the first ever Carbon Salary Survey said a heightened response in the past few years from government and business to the threat of climate change has increased their sense of job security.

“The European Union’s emissions and renewable energy goals are enshrined and have wide support while U.S. President Obama’s vow to take global leadership on climate change puts the market on a very stable footing for continued growth and great job prospects,” said London-based climate consultant Amanda Rooney.

The EU gave a boost to Europe’s green industry when it agreed last December to source 20 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020 and to cut its carbon emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels, raising that to 30 percent by 2020 if a new global climate treaty is signed.

Obama is pushing Congress to pass its own climate laws and has said he will push the world towards agreement on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, at United Nations climate talks in Copenhagen this December. The survey, conducted along with green sector recruiters Acre Resources and consultants Acona, polled nearly 1,200 professionals who work in areas like renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions trading, in what has become a multi-billion dollar industry spawned by climate change.

HIGH EARNERS

The average green collar worker makes $76,000 per year, the survey showed, with half of respondents receiving an annual bonus of around $11,000. The other half received no bonus.

“Top tier salaries have increased over the past two years. We now see more jobs paying six figure salaries, particularly as climate change has started to pull in senior managers from other areas of business,” said Andy Cartland, managing director at Acre Resources.

U.S.-based workers were the best paid, receiving salaries averaging $100,000, while Australasia followed closely with $93,000. Workers in Asia earned the least at $41,500.

It may be a new industry built on new technologies, but patterns seen in old-school sectors have re-emerged with a green tint, the survey showed.

Those working in the financial and legal sectors had the highest average salary ($116,000) and annual bonus ($95,500) while people working in green marketing, PR or media were the worst paid at $58,000 a year.

Over three quarters of survey respondents were male, though some in the industry said it was becoming more balanced. “In 2001, 90 percent of my clients and people you’d meet at conferences were male,” said Lucy Mortimer, a global manager at brokers TFS Green.

“The market has changed considerably since then — half my team is female, and most broking firms and banks in carbon have women working for or leading the teams.”

Some observers were dismayed to find that gender inequality has managed to creep into the green sector, as the survey revealed that men earned an average $79,000 compared to $65,000, or 18 percent less, for women.

The UK remains the sector’s nucleus, with 28 percent of corporate headquarters located there. North America was next at 26 percent and the rest of Europe was home to 24 percent.

Africa was home to just one percent, though climate professionals from the continent said its industry was growing.

“There have been noticeable increases in activity in South Africa, Nigeria and Mozambique,” said Rob Ashdown, a consultant at South Africa’s Merchantec Capital, adding that Africa’s renewable energy and climate consultancy sectors are also maturing.

A solid education was a common trait amongst respondents, with 96 percent having at least one university degree, but the results showed that having green qualifications made little difference in remuneration.

Those with environment-related degrees made under $70,000 on average, while those holding more general degrees made around $85,000 a year.

Over threequarters of those surveyed said they were satisfied with their jobs, while 93 percent said they would recommend a career in the environmental sector to others.

It’s that time of the year again when those with income are required to file last year’s tax returns with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

As the clock ticks towards the June 30, those who fail to meet the deadline are liable to penalties.

“All individuals with an income and businesses are required to file returns,” says Mr Ashif Kassam, a partner at RSM Ashvir, an audit, tax and consulting firm.

A tax return declares one’s income or that of a business and the taxable amount. Under the Income Tax Act, one is liable to a penalty at the rate of five per cent of the net tax due for every 12 months for failure to submit the return forms.

“The reason for filing income tax returns to declare to Kenya Revenue Authority your income and expenses for last year,” says Kassam.

KRA has mailed return forms to companies employers with more than 150 employees. The forms can also be collected from KRA offices or downloaded from the revenue collector’s website.

Efforts have also been made towards facilitating returns filing electronically. Currently, Value Added Tax (VAT) returns can be filed online. Details required in the individual return form include income from employment, business, farming, rent and interest. Income from one’s wife is also treated separately in the form.

Declare all income

An individual is required to file income tax return if his/her income exceeds the basic exemption limit.

Taxpayers are required to declare all income earned last year. If a man is married and living with his wife, her income is deemed to be his income for income tax purposes.

It should therefore be included in the return. A married woman should complete her own return form if she is separated from her husband either by a court order or by agreement or is a resident of Kenya and her husband is not.

Those failing to furnish accounts and for making an incorrect income return or statement or for claiming false personal relief are liable to additional tax.

Failure to furnish a full and true return and accounts or making a false return/statement may also be the subject of a criminal charge.

place of work

An individual taxpayer should also include the value of any benefit or facility enjoyed as a result of employment. These include residence or meals provided at your employer’s place of business; domestic servants or transport from your residence to your place of work.

Benefits in kind or in the form of service, however need not be included if the total value during the year was less than Sh24,000.

If an employer provides free medical cover, it need not be included except if the employer pays doctor’s bills or reimburses the employee in cash.

One is advised to consult with the employer as to the value of benefits received. If any amount is paid by your employer on your behalf for personal liabilities such as household bills, these are regarded as income from employment and must be taxed.

Use of employer’s car for private purposes is a benefit. One should therefore state the model, make and rating of the car in the returns forms.

Contributions made to any registered retirement fund or to a provident fund are deducted before tax is calculated.

The amount of insurance relief is 15 per cent of premium paid provided that it is in respect of the taxpayer’s life or life of his wife or child. The insurance relief shall not exceed Sh45,000 per annum.

minimum year

A copy of the policy has to be attached and if this is an education policy it has to be for a minimum of 10 years.

The individual rates of tax are 10 per cent on the first Sh121,968, some 15 per cent on the next Sh114,912, some 20 per cent on the next Sh114,912, some 25 per cent on the next Sh114,912.00, and 30 per cent on all income over Sh466,704 per annum.

Source:  Jackson Okoth, The Standard Newspaper, 15/6/09