"Green Skills" - What are they, why do we need them, and how do we find them?

Climate change is real. Heatwaves and wildfires, food insecurity and water scarcity,
deforestation, and loss of biodiversity are predicted to persist, resulting in catastrophic effects
on our world. As the world pledges to achieve a more environmentally sustainable future, our
economies must expand more conscientiously to combat climate change. We will require
expertise to adjust products, services, and procedures to address climate change and the
associated environmental standards and regulations. Green skills are the skills that will assist
the world in doing so.
Green skills refer to "the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes required to inhabit, advance
and promote a sustainable and efficient world. A majority of these skills are specialised and
usually found in traditional green professionals, like Environmental Scientists, Sustainability
Managers, and Wildlife Biologists. However, we have noticed a growing inclination towards
green skills among professionals in jobs that are not conventionally regarded as "green." For
instance, in Pollution Prevention, Salespeople, Designers, and Stylists are increasingly striving to
achieve the knowledge of sustainable fashion.
The world of employment has a crucial role to play in transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
However, this transition relies on employers’ ability to recognise, evaluate, and cultivate green
skills. It is imperative that both the private and public sectors give proper training to their
employees to support a sustainable economy. To achieve this objective, employers should:
• Map out the green skills prerequisites and initiate reskilling and re-employment
programmes in advance
• Make sustainable employment and skills investment their branding advantage to attract
the right talent and retain the necessary skills for future triumph
• Utilise apprenticeships, vocational education and training, and other work-based
learning opportunities to develop their talent pool and establish diverse entry points
into the organization.
Governments should also play an equally crucial role in promoting the demand for green skills.
Their active involvement can prevent a situation where there is a demand for green skills
stimulated by government policies, but no corresponding action to meet this demand, leading
to skills bottlenecks.