The profile of the labour force is changing. We are witnessing the destruction of traditional jobs, whose tasks can be automated or optimised, while new jobs are emerging every day, especially those associated with technology and the ecological transition.
The Future of Jobs Report 2023 points to some enlightening trends and explanations. For instance, it is estimated that over the next five years the structural turnover rate in the labour market will be around 23%, representing the proportion of jobs impacted (i.e. destroyed and created) in relation to the total number of initial jobs. The same report identifies three main drivers for these changes: the negative global economic outlook; the ambivalent role of technological development in creating and destroying jobs; and, finally, the sustainable transition of businesses and organisations.
The State of the Profession 2022 report identifies a number of other revealing trends. Between 2016 and 2022, the proportion of CEOs who consider sustainability a priority almost doubled, from 35% to 60%, and 74% of the organisations surveyed increased the budget dedicated to sustainability-related activities. In the same period, 76 per cent of large companies reported having increased the headcount dedicated to sustainable transition and the new non-financial reporting requirements (18 per cent more than in the previous assessment) and 35 per cent hired more external consultants.
But what do these new "green" opportunities in the labour market consist of?
The urgency of tackling climate change is giving rise to new jobs that require specialised skills, applicable to sectors as diverse as health, tourism, banking and insurance, fashion, food, technology, public administration, or higher education. In turn, the fields of knowledge and specialisation are extremely broad, which means that these roles are available to professionals with a wide range of backgrounds.
Among the key areas of the new "green" labour market are the renewable energy sector, which plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture, which meets the need for innovative, environmentally friendly, and ethically responsible farming practices in response to the increase in demand for food brought about by the growth in the world's population.
The circular economy also requires more and more professionals involved in waste management and recycling and in designing sustainable products in various sectors. At the same time, the advent of green technologies has created a broad spectrum of new opportunities in the field of innovation aimed at reducing environmental impact, in mobility, construction or decarbonisation solutions.
In addition, the analysis of environmental and operational data, supported by artificial intelligence, is emerging as a critical area for governments and businesses, particularly to support decision-making to maximise positive impacts at all levels. As companies place increasing emphasis on environmental and social responsibility, sustainability analysts, specialists and consultants are becoming more and more prominent in organisations.
In conclusion, the employment landscape is evolving to meet the challenges and opportunities of a future that is intended to be truly sustainable. The demand for specialised skills in the broad field of Sustainability underlines this transformative journey towards a greener and more regenerative global economy. Governments, organisations and educational institutions urgently need to review and convert current business models, by creating new functions and developing new areas of expertise to ensure the sustainable transition in good time. In this context, professionals who obtain the right skills today, either through foundational education or specialisation programmes such as the Executive Master in Sustainability Management, will be better prepared to make a significant contribution to a more harmonious coexistence between humanity and the planetary ecosystem.
What about you? Have you ever thought about “greening” your career?
Article by João Dias da Silva, codiretor do Executive Master in Sustainability Management, Associate Partner for Sustainability & ESG, Crowe Portugal.
