What are green jobs?

Careers, Employment, Jobseekers, News / 01 February 2023

There’s no set definition for the term ‘green job’ but most sources agree that green jobs focus on the improvement and protection of the environment. This might be through:

  • green energy provision
  • energy and resource conservation
  • use of sustainable resources
  • reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
  • protection and restoration of the natural environment
  • minimising waste and pollution
  • adapting manufacturing processes to be less damaging of the environment

Globally, the number of green jobs is rapidly increasing as businesses seek to improve their sustainability credentials, governments strive to reach carbon net zero targets, and workers show a growing interest in employment that plays its part in protecting our planet.

Research appears to support this increase in green job numbers. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there were larger numbers of workers in clean energy jobs than in fossil fuel jobs in 2022. Research conducted by PwC found that green jobs advertised in the UK almost tripled between 2021 and 2022.

One leading factor in the increasing number of green jobs available in the UK is the government’s approach to sustainability.

 

What is the UK government’s attitude towards green jobs?


The UK government has set out a plan to achieve carbon net zero by 2050. This plan aims to recover from the environmental strain caused by the pandemic by pushing for a green economy that will usher in a new, environmentally advantageous industrial revolution. The plan includes:

  • the use of offshore wind farms, low carbon hydrogen, and nuclear power
  • a move to zero emission vehicles, and green public transport, air travel, and ships
  • the promotion of cycling and walking
  • greener buildings
  • investment in carbon capture, usage, and storage
  • protection of the natural environment
  • green innovation and finance

This plan was drawn from the findings of the Green Job Taskforce which was launched in 2020. The resulting report provided recommendations on how the UK could transition to a green economy that was carbon net zero, including factors such as the required green skills that employees must develop and the role of industry and education in reaching government targets.

 

Three major industries for green jobs in the UK

 

Three major industries for green jobs in the UK


While the demand and availability of green jobs will affect all business sectors, there are three industries that have already seen a major shift to sustainability and will lead the way in offering green jobs. These are:

  Energy

One of the most significant areas for growth in green jobs in the UK is renewable energy. The UK government’s plan to reach carbon net zero by 2050 centres around a shift from reliance on fossil fuels to using clean and renewable energy sources. The switch to these new energy sources will create jobs across a wide sweep of skills, including construction, installation, system maintenance, manufacturing, and equipment design.

Example green jobs in this sector:

  • Renewable energy technician
  • Wind turbine engineer
  • Solar panel installer
  • Renewable energy planner

  Transportation

In the UK, there is a growing demand for electric vehicles, a cycling infrastructure, and public transport that reduces emissions and promotes sustainable travel. The government has confirmed that it will ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK by 2030. This will create green job opportunities in the manufacturing and maintenance of electric vehicles and all business sectors involved in the adaptation of our current transport infrastructure.

Example green jobs in this sector:

  • Electric vehicle mechanic
  • Biofuels technician
  • Bicycle repair
  • Fuel cell technician

  Agriculture

In addition to the UK government’s plan for a green economy, the increased demand for organic food and drinks has driven interest in a move to sustainable farming. Research released by the Organic Farming Research Institute in 2022 found that global sales of organic food and beverages has increased by 15%. Their report concluded that it was imperative that global agriculture move to a sustainable model to:

  • guard against serious disruptions such as the COVID pandemic
  • provide the ability to adapt to the effects of environmental crisis
  • ensure a consistent and sufficient food supply

This will create green jobs not only in the sector of agriculture but also in the related food manufacturing industry.

Example green jobs in this sector:

  • Organic farmer
  • Ecologist
  • Agricultural scientist
  • Hydrogeologist

 

Wrapping it up


As the UK government and demand from consumers encourage businesses to become more sustainable, the number of green jobs will steadily increase. The process will be a lengthy one of adaptation, research, and learning, and certain sectors will find the transition easier than others. From a jobseeker’s perspective, working in a green job isn’t simply a way to protect the environment; it is also a path to future-proof your career.

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