As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, the demand for green skills in the job market is on the rise. Addressing this growing need requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing education and training, industry collaboration, and policy support to equip individuals with the knowledge and expertise needed to build a sustainable future.
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The severity of the climate crisis is increasing, with 2023 declared the hottest year in history. To prepare for a more sustainable future, government leaders who came together last November for the UN climate summit COP28 finally agreed to “transition away” from fossil fuels and prioritise renewable energy use.
Climate policies and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting regulations are only going to become more rigorous as a result of this transition. For businesses, this means integrating the knowledge needed into their workforce to keep abreast of the changes, with green skills and climate change expertise shifting away from being nice-to-haves to critical business essentials.
LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2023 found that the demand for green skills will soon outstrip supply, with green job postings increasing by more than 15% in 2023 compared to the year prior. And with the new global agenda of a fossil fuel phase-out, the demand for green skills will only accelerate further.
The challenge for businesses, however, is that developing green skills has not been a major priority for organisations, at least until now. For example, according to PwC, the United Kingdom’s financial services sector is not moving fast enough to close the green skills gap, slowing down the transition towards sustainable financial and business planning. Moreover, there has been an overall lack of supply of potential employees with the skills essential in helping businesses transition, making it more difficult to hire the right person.
Employers must now begin cultivating green skills within their existing workforce, by equipping staff with the tools and knowledge to meet present and future sustainability needs which are tailored to the business. This can be achieved by building – instead of buying – talent, a strategy that has previously been applied by business leaders in a race for technical and digital skills that are in short supply in the labour market. However, businesses first need to understand what the green transition means for them on an individual level, and what kind of green skills will be essential for their operations.
Understanding Niche Green Skills Requirements
As the term suggests, “green skills” is broadly thought of as the technical skills and knowledge required to foster the transition to a low-carbon economy, fundamental to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is here that the emphasis often falls on the technical fields of science, technology, and engineering. However, this perspective overlooks the significant benefits of integrating technical expertise with advanced human capabilities and business acumen.
Due to the wide variety of skills potentially encapsulated under the phrase, there is still a lack of industry-wide consensus around providing suitable training opportunities for green upskilling. For example, the green skills necessary to work in consulting, energy, or transportation, can be significantly different from one another and could require tailored training not only to the strand but also to the business in question.
Human capabilities such as decision-making, creativity, and reasoning play an important role in tackling environmental challenges. Successful decision-making involves evaluating the long-term environmental and societal impacts of our choices, while creativity drives innovation and leads to the development of sustainable solutions. Critical reasoning is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental initiatives, to ensure they are not just well-intentioned but also practical and impactful.
When combined with business acumen, these skills become even more powerful.
Project management ensures that environmental projects are executed strategically for maximum benefit, while data-driven decision making is essential for identifying environmental trends and making informed choices. Marketing and communication skills are crucial for gaining public and stakeholder support by transforming intricate environmental issues into compelling narratives that inspire collective action.
A mix of human capabilities and business expertise is key to creating a strong green workforce. This approach uses our collective skills to engage, motivate, and lead, offering a comprehensive strategy for tackling environmental challenges as we advance towards a sustainable future.
Tackling climate change requires an approach that combines technical expertise with human capabilities and business acumen. This is vital for developing a green workforce capable of navigating the complexities of environmental challenges and driving meaningful change.
Considering the multifaceted nature of sustainability itself, training should relate to the sector a business operates in (e.g., an energy company that can use renewable sources instead of fossil fuels) and/or how a business operates and strategies for the future (e.g., corporate sustainability or carbon accounting consultancies). Moreover, in the current climate change discourse, green skills and training are expected to continuously evolve to encompass a broad range of factors and requirements.
It is also important for businesses to meticulously identify which combination of green skills is most suitable for meeting their targets, whether that is achieving net zero goals, or establishing stronger emissions and supply chain reporting measures.
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Training the Workforce for Green Skills
In the face of climate change, every job, regardless of its industry, can contribute to a more sustainable future. It is when businesses fully embrace sustainability that they can truly transform for the benefit of the environment.
Businesses must take the lead in creating green-oriented jobs and providing necessary training to individuals from all walks of life. This will not only expand the talent pool capable of driving a pro-environmental economy but also foster a culture of sustainability within the organisation.
Professional learning and development (L&D) opportunities, such as apprenticeships designed to instil a solid understanding of sustainability and develop industry-specific skills, are key to this transformation. It is time for businesses to invest in their workforce, equipping them with the green skills needed to navigate the dynamic sustainability landscape.
Government efforts are also crucial in nurturing early green talent. Policies should be reviewed and enhanced to provide more green training pathways, such as apprenticeships and skills boot camps. These initiatives will equip young people with an early understanding of green career pathways, instilling confidence and skills needed to embark on a career with an environmental focus.
For employers, especially those of smaller firms, partnering with professional training providers can offer valuable insights into the skills needed for a green economy. These partnerships can help design tailored, effective programs to deliver appropriate upskilling, ensuring that the workforce is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of a sustainable future.
There is a clear opportunity for synergistic collaboration between local authorities, sector representatives, education providers, employers, and the government. Together, they can create clear “green skill” pathways for both current professionals and young people, fostering a workforce ready to tackle the environmental challenges of our time.
Businesses of the Future
From a business perspective, demonstrating a commitment to equipping the workforce with green skills can be a powerful tool for talent attraction, motivation, and retention. Businesses that prioritise sustainability send a strong message to potential employees about their values and their vision for the future.
Our fight against climate change is a journey of human potential as much as it is of technological advancement. It is time for businesses, governments, and individuals to step up and play their part in this critical mission. The climate crisis waits for no one. Let’s begin shaping an economy primed for a greener tomorrow. What role will you play in this critical mission?
Visit Earth.Org’s ‘What Can I Do?’ page, a collection of articles dedicated to inspiring action on an individual and business level.
