The guide to green jobs: working in the sustainability sector

How can you find a career that tackles climate change?

Changing technologies, emerging environmental sectors and, of course, increasingly critical climate targets means that green jobs are set for a major boom in the coming years.

The UK government has set an ambitious target of creating two million green jobs by 2030, and we’re already starting to see the uptick in such roles on offer. The number of jobs in renewable energy have nearly doubled in the past decade,  soaring to 13.7million, whilst the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that the transition to clean energy is expected to generate  a further 10.3 million new jobs globally by 2030 which will offset the 2.7 million jobs expected to be lost in fossil fuel sectors.

According to the World Economic Forum, a transition to a greener economy could see 24 million jobs created worldwide – much of these driven by a global commitment to ‘build back better’ in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In the UK alone, the government has earmarked £134 million to help businesses put sustainability at the forefront of their operations.

What exactly is a ‘green job’?

In November 2020 the government launched the Green Jobs Taskforce to help deliver on the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution however they had a difficult time providing a concise definition.  Following substantial stakeholder engagement, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) defines a green job as: “Employment in an activity that contributes to protecting or restoring the environment, including those that mitigate or adapt to climate change.”

It’s a broad definition, so a wide variety of jobs can be considered ‘green’. Even traditional jobs, such as law or finance, can be considered green if sustainability is at the heart of the role (for example, environmental law or ethical investment). There is no such thing as a single ‘green’ industry anymore. As businesses across the board seek to become more sustainable, green jobs are emerging in every sector, for every skillset all around the UK

How to secure a green job?

As the green jobs landscape develops, employers are particularly focused on transferable skills, rather than specific qualifications. The UK Parliament defines green skills as “the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a society which reduces the impact of human activity on the environment”.

So as more and more companies turn their attention to environmental targets, there are increasing opportunities to work in the green arena without needing any specialist training. For example, a HR officer could use their existing experience to apply for a role at a green energy company, or an administrative assistant could use their skills to work for an environmental charity.

Even roles that require a particular level of expertise – for example, an engineer or designer – can apply their existing knowledge and experience to roles with a green focus.

Some roles, however, will require specific qualifications, particularly the more science-focused jobs that are right now most in demand. These include roles in areas such as the built environment, energy efficiency, carbon capture, renewable energy and clean technology.

Qualifications for green jobs

For roles that require more specific skills, there are a wide variety of training options available.

At the time of writing, WhatUni.com shows more than 50 universities offering 179 undergraduate courses related to sustainability, and more than 110 universities offer 349 postgraduate courses.  These courses cover everything from climate justice and sustainable development, to renewable technical skills and earth science. Many postgrad courses will accept applicants based on transferable skills and previous experience, rather than specific existing academic history.

Of course, a degree isn’t always feasible for those looking to move into a greener role, so a short professional course might be more suitable. The IEMA offers a wide variety of training programmes for existing professionals, such as certification in environmental legislation, sustainable procurement and environmental impact.

Other institutions offer their own accredited courses, such as the University of Cambridge’s Business Sustainability Management short course or the London Business School’s Sustainability Leadership course (both of which can be done remotely). Meanwhile, the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales offers short courses covering a range of issues, including renewable energy, ecology, woodland management and more.

Not sure whether studying is right for you? Why not have a look at our round-up of the top free online short courses in sustainability and test the waters?

Where to find green jobs

Most job sites these days have an ‘environmental’ filter, allowing you to search specifically for jobs in this area. However, there are a number of dedicated green jobs sites which show listings for environmental jobs across a range of sectors, from construction and communications to healthcare and hospitality. These include:

• Environmentjobs.com
• EnvironmentalJobsUK.com
• GreenJobs.co.uk
• EnvironmentJob.co.uk

If there’s a specific company or organisation you’re keen to work for, be sure to check their careers pages, too, while Guardian Jobs has long been a trusted source of job ads for the environmental sector.

The bottom line

The climate conversation has never been more urgent, and we need to transition quickly to a much greener economy if we’re to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Doing so will create many new roles and transform many existing ones, so if you have an interest in working in a role focused on sustainability now’s a great time to explore your options in the fastest growing sector of the economy.

Disclaimer

This information is provided for guidance only. Please see the full disclaimer in our terms and conditions.

Please share this article and comment on social.