The green economy in China is expected to produce millions of jobs in the country over the coming years, a new report states.

According to the study by the Worldwatch Institute, the nation has "huge potential" for employment growth, although the number of positions in the sector is hard to calculate because of the inconsistencies of existing methodologies.

The organization found that as many as 4.5 million new roles could be generated in the transportation, energy and forestry sectors in 2020 alone.

In addition, an average of 6,680 direct jobs are forecast to be created each year in the solar photovoltaics market and a further 34,000 in wind energy through to 2020.

The low-carbon automotive industry and high-speed rail are also predicted to provide employment for thousands of people during the next decade.

Another report from the institute has suggested despite the global economic downturn, the renewable power market expanded strongly during 2010.

Posted by Kate Griffin