Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

The occupation of Environmental Economists has an automation risk of 50.3%, slightly below its base risk of 51.2%. This moderate risk reflects the balance between routine data-related tasks and the complex analytical and judgment-driven aspects of the job. Tasks such as writing technical documents or academic articles, conducting research on various environmental and economic topics, and collecting and analyzing data to compare policy implications are among the most automatable. These activities often require structured processes, repetitive methodologies, and standardized reporting, making them susceptible to advances in machine learning, data processing, and natural language generation. As AI systems become more adept at handling large datasets, summarizing research findings, and drafting detailed reports, the automation risk for these tasks increases. However, not all responsibilities of Environmental Economists can be easily automated; certain tasks show significant resistance to automation. For instance, interpreting indicators to determine the overall health of an environment involves a nuanced understanding of complex systems that may be beyond the reach of current AI capabilities. Similarly, identifying and recommending environmentally friendly business practices requires critical thinking, ethical considerations, and contextual awareness that automated systems may lack. Additionally, developing comprehensive research project plans — which includes balancing budgets, establishing goals, setting deliverables, creating timelines, and allocating resources — demands a level of integration and foresight that is still largely dependent on human ingenuity and collaborative input. The main bottleneck skills that shield Environmental Economists from higher automation risk are related to originality, with measured importance levels at 3.3% and 4.0%. Originality as a skill encompasses creative problem-solving, the generation of innovative ideas, and the ability to approach complex environmental and economic challenges from novel perspectives. Since AI and automation are generally limited to existing data patterns and established methods, the capacity to think outside conventional frameworks remains a distinctly human strength. This reliance on originality in core aspects of their work helps maintain the relatively resilient position of Environmental Economists in the face of rapid technological change, ensuring that while some tasks may become automated, the occupation as a whole will continue to require human expertise and creativity.