Green jobs: a guide to sustainable careers

The definition and importance of green jobs Green jobs are all those occupations that aim to safeguard the Earth and its well-being, protecting human development but without negatively affecting the health of the environment. These jobs are gaining momentum in the labor market because, given the increasingly frequent extreme weather events and damage to living ecosystems, attention and sensitivity to the health of the planet is growing. For this reason, green jobs are increasingly supported by business investment: according to the 2022 Unioncamere report, it’s estimated that by 2026 the trend toward energy conservation and environmental sustainability will require between 2.4 and 2.6 million new jobs. The work that comes from the green economy Although ecological science was first talked about back in the late 1980s, the idea of a truly green or ecological economy began in 2006 with the Stern Report, a study of climate change and environmental risks commissioned by the British government. Since then, climate disruptions and damage to ecosystems have become increasingly evident, necessitating the move from a linear to a circular economy. The green economy is the practice of sustainable development through the support of public and private investment in order to create infrastructure that promotes social and environmental sustainability. It encourages economies to become more sustainable and low-carbon, and ensures that natural resources continue to provide environmental resources and services for our well-being. The labor market is therefore increasingly shifting toward green careers that protect the environment and promote sustainable development. This is in line with the goals set by the European Union to achieve an acceleration of the energy transition first and foremost through the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The most sought-after sectors The renewables sector alone will result in at least 38 million more jobs by 2030 globally, according to the most recent forecast by IRENA (the International Renewable Energy Agency). According to this report, the number of jobs in the energy sector could rise to 139 million, including more than 74 million in the energy efficiency, electric vehicles, power/flexibility systems and hydrogen sectors. Establishing the precise number of new green jobs isn’t easy, since all economic sectors are, more or less directly, linked to the environment and sustainability; indeed, the energy transition involves all areas – from agriculture to tourism, from research and development to administration. Nor should we underestimate the role of communication: the social sciences, together with the results of meteorology and climatology, have the task of improving public awareness by leveraging scientific evidence. The Italian public body ANPAL provided a snapshot of the sectors with the largest number of companies investing in green jobs with a special report in 2021. In addition to the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil, automotive and construction industries, public utilities and the rubber and plastics industries stand out. We must also take into consideration tourism, lodging and catering, transportation and logistics, health care and social assistance, education and business support services. To sum up, the green transition isn’t a challenge for a specific production sector so much as a paradigm shift in the entire labor market. The green professions New awareness and growing sensitivity to the importance of environmental issues is leading to a growing interest in certain professions. Here is a list of some of the green jobs most in demand in the labor market: Environmental engineer An engineer at the service of the environment and the local area: he or she is involved in the design of projects and services, measuring environmental impacts and potential damage to living ecosystems. It is also his or her job to assess the physical and chemical risks associated with – as well as the harmful effects of – human activities. Environmental project manager A multidisciplinary professional figure specializing in environmental sustainability who endeavors to balance economic issues with the well-being of the planet on which we live. Green materials engineer For a company to become green, it has to find solutions for producing environmentally friendly and sustainable materials during various transformation processes. This is the main task of the green materials engineer. Energy manager A professional whose job is to monitor and manage everything related to energy within a company or public entity. His or her role is to optimize consumption and promote the implementation of initiatives to improve energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources. Environmental lawyer A professional with a law degree who possesses specific skills in the area of environmental law. In addition to being able to properly interpret EU, national, and local laws regarding the protection of the area and the planet, he or she oversees the company's path to the green transition. Green marketing manage Marketing also needs to become increasingly green by adapting strategies to the needs not only of the company but also of the planet. This professional figure promotes activities, products, and services that are ecologically sustainable and have the least environmental impact. The benefits Green professions are key to improving energy efficiency, limiting harmful emissions, reducing waste, and promoting the spread of renewables. In a nutshell, they make it possible to protect the planet, living ecosystems and – as a result – people. The benefits do not end with environmental issues, however: the development of new awareness within companies and public bodies makes it possible to improve energy security and enhance technological innovation, especially in the engineering sectors. Promoting sustainable growth also means ensuring economic development over the medium and long term, thereby laying the foundation for a more stable labor market. All this translates into new jobs, job growth and better prospects for young people. The role of education and training in acquiring sustainable skills Paying more attention to the environment and the energy transition are an increasingly integral part of technological development and economic growth. The strategic and shared goal of promoting a sustainable model must foster human development without impacting the delicate balance of the planet. For these reasons, investments in future generations, creating shared value and widespread awareness of environmental issues are essential. Educational and training programs in the environmental sphere make it possible to lay the foundation for the emergence of new ideas that are based on the protection of the ecosystem, before economic sustainability. Our commitment to job growth and the green economy To help train a large number of green professionals, we’ve collaborated with the specialized training center Elis to set up two training programs: School4Life has already involved about 800 students from 25 schools and is aimed at orienting them toward the jobs of the future and STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Power your Growth (Energie per Crescere) aims to find jobs for about 5,500 young people over the next two years, mainly as grid technicians. At Enel Green Power, we’re looking for specialists to work in our renewable plants in all the countries in which we’re present: solar and wind technicians, control room operators, maintenance technicians, electrical supervisors, specialized engineers and more. Learn more about the advantages of working in the renewable energy sector and find out about our open positions:

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Green jobs: the sustainable future of the labor market

Green jobs: the sustainable future of the labor market

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