The pressing need to take action on global climate change is altering the skills landscape. It’s an issue which is impacting social inequalities, our health and ecosystems, and it’s creating a growing demand for people with skills that will help us manage a sustainable future for Earth.
The UK government’s Net Zero Strategy, underpinned by the Climate Change Act (2008), lays out its plans to reach a target of net zero carbon emissions (achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases going into and out of the environment) by 2050.
To help achieve this, the Green Jobs Delivery Group will support the creation of up to 480,000 skilled green industry jobs by 2030. These are jobs and skills that people need to be preparing for now, so that we can meet demand in the near future.
What is a ‘green’ job?
The UK government describes green jobs as roles which actively contribute to restoring or preserving the environment. We might immediately think of jobs such as conservationist, renewable energy engineer or climate scientist but in reality, the definition of a ‘green’ job is not clear cut.
To provide more clarity, the government is working on a more robust definition, along with how we can measure green jobs in the labour market.
Where some jobs are proactive in their aim to reduce the impact of climate change, others might be in supporting activities which can contribute to a net zero economy to varying extents, for example those who work in public transport or in retail sales for sustainable clothing brands.
Even though the debate around defining ‘green jobs’ continues, it’s clear that jobs and careers which support ‘green’ activities are diverse, and can be found in all sectors.
A wide range of jobs needed to tackle the big issues
Below is a just flavour of some of the jobs and careers in the UK which are working to create a sustainable future. Where possible, these are linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by all United Nations Member States.
Food and farming
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for zero hunger (SDG 2), the ability to grow nutrient-dense food in a sustainable way will provide food security around the world.
Jobs and careers include:
- Farmers
- Vertical/hydroponic farming developers and growers
- Agronomists
- Agricultural engineers and technologists
- Ecologists
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: biological scientists, farm workers, design and development engineers, and robotics engineers.
Clean energy
The global Net Zero targets will help us to achieve affordable, reliable and sustainable clean energy for all (SDG 7).
Jobs and careers include:
- Sustainable energy consultants
- Solar panel fitters
- Wind turbine technicians
- Electric vehicle charging station installer
- Chemical and energy engineers
- Carbon capture researchers
- Heat pump specialists
- Building services engineers
- Battery gigafactory workers
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: nuclear chemists, and electrical engineers.
Sustainable transport
Reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector is one of the biggest challenges to becoming net zero. As well as developing battery technologies and other methods of powering transport, there are roles for people who can educate others on the benefits of using more sustainable ways of getting from A to B (SDG 9 and 11).
Jobs and careers include:
- Battery gigafactory workers
- Logistics managers
- Transport planners
- Production technicians
- Rail track maintenance workers
- Cycle mechanics
- Educators
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: aviation and aerospace engineers, chemical engineers, electronics engineers, train drivers, bus drivers, and IT systems designers.
Looking after the natural world
This involves tackling climate change to reduce its impact, protecting and restoring natural habitats and ecosystems, and using natural resources in a sustainable way (SDG 13, 14 and 15).
Jobs and careers include:
- Environmental and conservation professionals
- Disaster management professionals
- Horticulturalists
- Farmers
- Agronomists
- Water and flood engineers
- Meteorologists
- Firefighters
- Ecologists
- Research scientists
- Data analysts
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: laboratory technicians, forestry workers, and microbiologists.
Building sustainable cities and towns
Cities and towns and construction projects will need affordable, energy efficient buildings built with minimal waste. Urban planning will need to consider infrastructure, transport networks and green spaces. (SDG 9 and 11)
Jobs and careers include:
- Urban planners
- Construction trades
- Landscape architects
- Drone operators
- Sustainability consultants
- Transport planners
- Building engineers
- Horticulturalists
- Network engineers
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: quantity surveyors, carpenters/joiners, construction project managers, architects, civil engineers, and electricians.
Reduce waste and create sustainable ways of living
Some nations will feel the impact of climate change more keenly than others. Areas such as green finance, sustainable tourism, sustainable fashion, the reduction of food and other waste, along with the protection of human rights around the world, will be hugely important. (SDG 8 and 12)
Jobs and careers include:
- Policy makers
- Economists
- Fashion designers
- Green investment analysts
- International relations officers
- Human rights lawyer
- Textile technologists
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers
- Project managers
- Chemical engineers
- Sustainability officers
- Educators
- Recycling operative
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: informaticians, and maintenance technicians.
Creative media
While it’s true that most green skills shortages are in STEM subjects, (science, technology, engineering and maths) we mustn’t forget the enormous impact that creative skills can have on tackling all areas of the climate emergency and living sustainably.
Digital and creative media can help to get important messages and stories across to the public and policy-makers through campaigns, educational materials, graphical and moving images, and writing.
Jobs and careers include:
- Film makers
- Journalists
- Broadcasters
- Writers
- Games designers
- Marketing assistants
- Social media managers
- Illustrators
- Animators
With employers particularly struggling to recruit: web designers, software developers, artists, arts officers, and graphic designers.
Gaining green skills – pathways to a green career
Green skills are the abilities, skills and qualities needed to create a sustainable and low-waste society. While transferable skills and attributes will still be looked for by employers, new skills will be required to complete some of the tasks specific to a low carbon world.
In addition to skills such as curiosity, active learning, creativity, resilience and adaptability, we can expect to see technical and job-specific skills relating to green careers become more critical.
The Green General Skill Index, used by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, identifies four task areas which are predicted to be particularly high in demand for the future. They are:
Engineering and technical skills - used across a range of activities including design, construction and the development of technology.
Science skills - useful for conducting research and activities in areas such as agriculture, waste, water and energy production.
Operation management skills – concerned with how efficient and sustainable an organisation or activity is, such as in logistics, transport planning and manufacturing.
Monitoring skills - overseeing legal and technical areas such as making sure companies are complying with regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
For those who already have skills in the areas above, such as construction, engineering or law, the transition to a career in sustainability may be relatively smooth with minimal training required.
There are a variety of pathways in which these skills (and others) can be acquired. Some careers require an accredited degree or degree apprenticeship; for others, a broader degree course is accepted.
There are often options to study for a postgraduate degree in a specific field following a related or unrelated undergraduate degree course – always check with the institution for specific requirements.
These are just a few examples of areas of study or training which can lead to a career in sustainability or the environment:
Undergraduate degrees
Subjects include:
- environmental science
- geography
- biology
- horticulture
- engineering
- chemistry
- accounting, finance and economics
- global sustainable development
- electronics
- computer science
- architecture and urban planning
- marketing and communications
- business development
- sustainable energy
Apprenticeships
These are available at different levels and open to all ages. Areas which can be linked to jobs the green economy include:
- Forestry
- Electrical installation
- Financial services
- Energy engineering
- Project management
- Countryside management
- Sustainability
- Construction trades
- Surveying
- Data analytics
Vocational qualifications
Depending on where you live, you may also be able to study for BTECs, T levels or other vocational qualifications. These can provide industry-based skills and knowledge which employers are looking for and which can contribute to a greener world.
Some level 3 courses with links to green skills are government funded and free. However, any qualification can potentially be a step on the ladder to a green career.
Finding a green job
A company’s green credentials can be useful in attracting young talent in particular; these can be found through sustainability reports and goals, and on social media such as LinkedIn. However, with accusations of greenwashing becoming more common – when a company makes out that it’s acting in an environmentally sustainable way more than it actually is – prospective employees need to look for actions and not just words.
Opportunities can be found in the private, public or third sector. You could work for:
- a commercial company
- local government
- a national government agency such as the Environment Agency
- education or community development
- academic research
- a charity, a not-for-profit organisation or an NGO (non-governmental organisation) such as the United Nations
- a think tank or pressure group
- or you could work for yourself
When it comes to searching for vacancies, trying a wide range of search terms may be necessary. Key words such as sustainability, sustainable, green, eco, ethical, natural, environmental, alternative, circular economy, renewable, or low carbon could all uncover job, apprenticeship or internship opportunities with green employers.
For more ideas on the types of sectors you could work in, and which companies have green opportunities, browse the vacancies on greenjobs.co.uk or search the articles on prospects.ac.uk.
The benefits of a climate-friendly career
One of the indisputable benefits of working in the low carbon economy is that it is the future. Jobs in oil and gas for example will make way for new roles in sustainable energy; companies investing in fossil fuels and products resulting from their use will need to move to greener alternatives as we move to net zero. The opportunities will be diverse and many people will be able to switch between roles and across sectors adding to their skills as they move.
Another selling point of working in sustainability and environmental protection is that it has recognisable value and purpose. Just as the Covid-19 pandemic put a spotlight on key workers – the health and care workers, the cleaners, the retail staff and others who kept the country going during the lockdowns – having a rewarding job which is helping to protect the natural world for future generations has to be the greatest benefit of all.
Helen Janota, updated September 2023
Helen is an experienced information and careers professional working as a freelance writer and trainer. She writes about careers and the labour market for a wide range of audiences and organisations and aims to produce easily accessible, informative content that reflects the current jobs and careers landscape.
