The green transition is transforming jobs, are you ready?

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) that took place at the end of 2023 put an official end to the long-running fossil fuels debate: the world is to accelerate the net-zero transition, reaching concrete outcomes by 2030. This will entail a significant shift towards greener jobs.

According to the Cedefop report Skills in transition – The way to 2035, to reach European Green Deal targets, demand is likely to increase in sectors such as construction, transportation, waste management, electricity, architecture and engineering. As these sectors constitute the starting points for a successful green transition, they are undergoing significant transformations and demand the green upskilling of the workforce.

What exactly are green skills?

The term ‘green skills’ encompasses the skills and knowledge required to foster the net-zero transition, in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Green skills are frequently thought of as technical, e.g. scientific, technological, or engineering; however, the green transition also requires soft skills, such as decision making, creativity, critical reasoning, project management and business expertise.

Cultivating these competencies will enable people in key positions to:

gauge the long-term impacts of certain actions on the environment and make better choices; come up with innovative solutions that contribute to sustainability;
evaluate the effectiveness of various green initiatives and pivot when/where necessary;
ensure that climate action plans are executed with optimal environmental benefits in mind;
create narratives that draw people in and inspire collective transformative action.

Green careers

As we are getting closer to the vision of low-carbon societies, new specialisations are jumping out of already existing sectors, while other jobs that had been largely overlooked are suddenly becoming more attractive. Here are some green career paths to consider:

Sustainability expert. Your tasks involve: working to reduce companies’ environmental footprint; reviewing business models to ensure they comply with sustainability guidelines; educating the workforce on green practices; and ensuring companies’ values and actions are aligned with climate goals.
Circularity specialist. The new economy will heavily depend on recycling, reducing, reusing and repairing. You will be responsible for introducing, overseeing, and/or streamlining all these processes.
Urban farmer. You will use the latest agricultural technology, including AI, to grow crops in cities, taking the burden off rural areas. The new models use less land and water and fewer pesticides, in addition to making cities healthier and more aesthetically pleasing.
Agronomist. Since traditional farming will most likely never be phased out, you will advise farmers on more sustainable practices.
Ecology consultant. You will carry out research and advise on environmental issues. You will also offer your expertise on landscape design, forestry, and estate management, among other things.
Eco-builder. You will design and bring to life the new smart buildings that will make efficient use of heat and light, and you will also retrofit older buildings to comply with the new standards.

Read more about careers with a positive green impact in our article In-demand green jobs in 2023.

Assessing and anticipating skills for the green transition – OECD report

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