There is still much discussion about the future of work and jobs. People have rightfully jumped into conversations on everything from “quiet quitting,” “rage applying,” and “the great reshuffle” as a result of the pandemic upending how, where, and why we work, as well as the rise of automation and generative AI. The environment is one work-related issue that needs to be discussed sufficiently, even though these subjects have captured the culture’s attention. If we want to rescue the earth and our way of life, we must fundamentally alter how we do business.
Global businesses and industries must undergo a seismic transformation due to lofty goals established by nations to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Governments and industry are working hard to find ways to accelerate this green shift. Governments define the overall course for the country, and businesses are rethinking their business strategies to play their part. The good news is that hiring for green jobs is showing this trend.
Only 13% of the labour force actually possesses the skills that businesses need and want, despite the demand for green skills increasing globally by 40% since 2015. As a group, we need to move more quickly to upskill professionals with the knowledge and abilities we need to achieve our net-zero goals. Most people with green skills work in fields that aren’t typically considered green, such as fleet management, data science, or healthcare. The development of the internet and digital connectedness transformed our working lives, and the green skills revolution has the potential to do the same. However, we have yet to know the necessary magnitude of change.
When evaluating a company’s culture and principles, little over one in four (26%) of the respondents we polled in Europe said that sustainability is one of their top non-negotiables. Professionals currently have a strong and growing desire to work for an organisation that values the environment and where they can make a difference in combating climate change. To compete for the most extraordinary people, businesses will benefit by upskilling their workforce quickly and transforming their operations to be more environmentally friendly. Additionally, investing in green skills gives professionals a chance to secure their careers for the future and land new jobs in a more challenging economic environment.
