Read our global report which offers an in-depth economic look at the human impact of climate change, identifies vulnerable geographies, industries and who within the Green Collar workforce is most at risk, and provides policy solutions for business leaders charged with enhancing social, environmental and economic resilience.
We anticipate a world where carbon emissions are captured and reused, and homes have moved to low-carbon heating. AI-driven farming will produce more from less land; food 'waste' will be transformed into valuable medicine, while in our cities low-energy travel will be the norm. But reaching this point requires changes from every industry. As jobs become greener we'll all need to acquire green skills, many of them outside the specialised sustainability areas you might expect. Marketing, HR, IT and Finance are all set to become greener.It's a big challenge, and there's no quick fix. But the momentum is building. The transition to a sustainable workforce is already underway. Green skills will soon be business-as-usual; part of every job every day, much as digital has become. The next decade presents us with unprecedented opportunities, and the sooner we develop these new skills the better.
We can do it by working together now.
In the transition to a green economy, i.e., one that is circular and more sustainable, our definition of what it means to be green will inevitably evolve.
Currently, 'green skills' is the term used to cover the technical skills, knowledge, behaviours and capabilities required to tackle environmental challenges, and unlock the opportunities for growth they present.
'Green jobs' covers the specialist roles focused on specific domains or initiatives, dedicated to improving environmental outcomes — whether that's for a single organisation or the entire UK economy.
Either way, it's not an issue we can kick into the long, green grass. 80% of the people who will make up the workforce of 2030 are already in employment today. And if we're going to build their capabilities for the future, now is the time to act.
Our new report, A blueprint for green workforce transformation, looks at the drive to build a greener workforce across the UK economy.The report, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), is packed with valuable insights and case studies to mobilise organisations for the green economy.