Green Career Pathways : Questions & Answers

Alignment of provision in time and space; working out was is being delivered now, if it is fit for purpose, and if not what rapid actions can be taken across curricula, careers advice and employer engagement (DR) 

Carbon capture and storage, and green hydrogen production and use would be important ones in my view (DR)

Aviation and steel remain some of the hardest industries to decarbonise rapidly. The quick (urgent) wins are in peatland restoration, energy efficiency in buildings, and slashing methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction and supply. (DR) 

Some of our processing industries, in particular, are very heat-intensive by their nature (Steel, glass, cement production) and will be hard to decarbonise. The quick wins will be through CCUS and hydrogen fuel switching, combined with scaling up of technology change to allow more energy efficient operation and alternative greener ways of producing the processing products that our economy needs to function. (JY) 

Biggest opportunity is through ensuring learning and skills are aligned with what is needed for the net zero transition, embedding this provision so it supports nation and economy-wide action. The big pinch points are time - there are already gaps and it takes time to reform provision, and capacity - educators are already swamped and so embedding knowledge and skills for the next zero transition needs dedicated support, CPD, and investment to actually translate intentions into action in schools, colleges and universities. (DR)  There is also the challenge of the lead time for education pathways ahead of project delivery becoming reality. It takes time to develop people to full occupational competence and the funding of some FE/apprenticeship pathways is challenging for employers to commit to ahead of them having projects on their order books. (JY) 

I believe our education system can support this enourmous paradign shift, but time is so short, as is capacity. To deliver the required provision we need substantial investment to allow educators the time and resources to embed net zero in provision.

One key mechanism is through supporting their wide supply chains and SME partners - building capacity and knowledge there so it helps them as a larger business have more future proofed and resilient supply chains and customers (DR) 

By having good intelligence on what is needed in both place and time - much of the available data and market signals are too high level, so more granular information and anticipation is needed (both spatially and temporally) (DR)  By developing provision ahead of time, sourcing and training trainers/assessors and having education and training options that can be switched in & out quickly as local needs crystallise. (JY) 

Skills anticipation requires regional hubs (e.g. local gov, employers and education providers) to collaborate on identifying needs specific to their region and appropriate timelines for responses. (DR)

That's at the heart of realising a just transition - a repeat of the 80s would not only be disastrous for livelihoods, it would also mean the net zero transition is unsustainable and, ultimately, would fail on all counts (DR)  It is vital that those in government, high carbon industries and the wider public (the potential future workers) understand that so many of the skills in high carbon sectors are still going to be relevant to ‘green’ jobs and projects, especially in engineering. Added to this, emission reduction and energy efficiency in current industrial sectors are key short-term activities in the transition to net zero. Labelling things as green jobs and non-green jobs can be very misleading in this regard. (JY) 

This challenge is increasingly going to come from shareholders, investors and from the growing levels of reporting of emissions/carbon footprint that will be required for companies of all sizes. (JY) 

To where their heart is - if you want to make a real difference on climate change through your work, then follow the career path that you love and, as part of that, use your passion and work to realise climate action in whatever role you do. (DR) 

Also recognise that this is a transition. There are many ways to contribute to net zero and make a real difference by helping existing high emitting sectors adapt from within. (JY) 

Only if your passion is environmental science - every career can be a 'green' career: e.g. if finance is your passion then follow that - it can (and will) be a green career too. (DR) 

It has to be, and already is in many jobs, and given the yawning gaps that are opening between demand and supply, the remuneration of 'green jobs' will keep rising fast. (DR) 

It can help, but it depends a lot on what activities and practices it is replacing. Check out our recent study through ClimateXChange on this topic here: https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/research/projects/emissions-impact-of-home-working-in-scotland/ (DR) 

There are some industrial activities that will see increased remote operation but the need for site roles will never completely disappear. (JY) 

The nature-based sector is fundamental to the next zero transition, and inherently linked with biodiversity protection and enhancement. It is also a major sector in terms of well-being, education and occupational health, so worth looking at national orgs like NatureScot, and specific programmes like Heritage Horizons in Cairngorm to see the kinds of multifaceted careers that are emerging. (DR) 

A key step is to enhance your own knowledge and understanding of the changing markets and skills demands, such as via Aldersgate Group and industry bodies like CBI. (DR) 

By being pro-active in consultations and co-creation of resources, learning provision and governance within institutions. (DR) 

Be pro-active in terms of understanding the skills and knowledge your ideal employers are looking for, work closely with your careers service and make sure they help you develop the skills and attributes that fit with your goals - if they aren't doing this already then tell them what they need to do better. (DR) 

At a generic level the thinking applies globally - every nation is in the climate emergency and has targets to meet. Crucially though, the responses and needs differ in time and place. For India there are major shifts towards renewables, for example that will require large increases in green skills and jobs, but at a state and sub-state level the precise jobs and opportunities will vary, so having that intelligence in both place and in time is important for every nation. (DR) 

I'd argue the arts are crucial to climate action, from interpretation and understanding of science, impacts and cultural context of climate change, through to shining a light on climate inequalities and engaging the whole of society in climate action. We need to make clear that this is a whole society and whole economy challenge, and we must shocase exemplars of 'green jobs' across all areas to inspire young people understand and explore the green dimension of their chosen careers. (DR) 

Climate impacts and action is society-wide, so as an illustrator, increasing awareness of climate change (and communicating its many interactions with our lives) is an important role. (DR) 

By making clear that this is a whole society and whole economy challenge, giving exemplars of 'green jobs' across all areas, from relevance of climate understanding in teaching history, through to climate risks and responses for caregivers (e.g. early warning systems, heat stress, triage processes). (DR) 

It's a vital component - most of us are inspired to follow our career paths quite early on, so provision of exemplars and role-models for these pathways is really important. (DR) 

Get involved in UNFCCC - sign up for relevant sessions (e.g. Bonn sessions each summer) and put yourself forward as a speaker and reviewer. (DR) 

By making Equality, Diversity and Inclusion an overt requirement of green job creation and support - see the Green Jobs Taskforce report for some recommendations on this, (DR) 

If we don't ensure this is economy-wide and fully involves the private sector as well as the public sector then we certainly we won’t get the speed and magnitude of change required. (DR) 

By moving away from 'green jobs' being seen as a niche area, and making clear that every job can be 'green'. A national marketing campaign (like 'Made in the Royal Navy' might be useful as a starting point) (DR) 

By the senior management making this a rewarded element of staff time - dedicating staff effort to it and reflecting this effort in promotions, pay and workloads. (DR) 

COP26 delivered the best initiative yet to address global deforestation. (DR) 

(Response provided by a representative of the Nat West Group:)

As a purpose-led bank we champion potential, helping people, families and businesses to thrive.  NatWest Group have an ambition to be the leading bank in the UK and Ireland in helping to address the climate challenge. 

Coal We will have no new exposure to thermal and lignite coal (coal). We will plan a phase out of coal for UK and non-UK customers who have UK coal production, coal fired generation and coal infrastructure by 1 October 2024 and plan a full phase out of coal by 1 January 2030. For existing customers, NatWest Group has committed to stop providing lending and underwriting services to companies with more than 15% of activities related to thermal and lignite coal, unless they have a Credible Transition Plan (“CTP”) aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement in place by the end of 2021.

Oil & Gas NatWest Group has committed to stop lending and underwriting to major Oil and Gas producers unless they have a credible transition plan (CTP) aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement in place by the end of 2021. 

Our approach is to work with customers who are committed to a credible transition plan by end 2021. During 2020, we have worked with an external expert to define a methodology for CTP assessment.  We are currently on track to finalising these assessments by end 2021 and engaging with our customers on this.

Yes, this needs to be whole economy. (DR) 

And industry jobs encompasses a many-level supply chain too, many of which are very small businesses. (JY) 

The net zero strategy was a start, but across all sectors we need clear signals and commitments in terms of the size of investment and, crucially, it's timing and regional focus. (DR) 

Some business already are, but for any business it's crucial to be able to assess opportunities and risks - the net zero transition represents a lot of both. (DR) 

Partly it's clearer signals from central and local government on needs and investment, partly it's about large employers working with their supply chains (esp. SMEs) to build their capacity and flexibility. (DR) 

Yes, the prime case being digital skills - greening of most jobs will be about upskilling rather than a completely different job. (DR) 

Very large role - circa 30,000ha of new woodland a year required in the UK from 2025. (DR) 

We have similar problems as the incentives are often insufficient to match the massive demands already on teachers - more investment to allow all teachers to undertake such CPD, along with the resources to support delivery are needed. (DR) 

Look at your wider skill set (e.g. flexibility, strategic and systems thinking, problem solving) and how you might enhance them. Make sure you engage with you careers service too! (DR)

And don’t assume that you can only be part of the transition to net zero by working in obvious green jobs or sectors – the transition will need focus and change across all sectors of the economy and many different roles will contribute. (JY) 

Improved understanding - anxiety is fair enough, but actually the science of climate change makes clear that we still have ability to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The key message should be one of empowerment for climate action through education. (DR) 

There is a growing consensus that addressing our shared climate goals requires long term-partnerships that help underpin climate resilience and action. This must involve investment in people, and capacity building across the globe, and particularly in those areas most acutely impacted by climate change. Western governments and universities have a big role to play to ensure they contribute to this world-wide expansion of green skills and education.

Definitely in terms of the quanta, but both FE and HE need to urgently assess provision and its alignment (or otherwise) with net zero transition. (DR)