Green jobs
Green jobs: the jobs of the future, good for you, for the environment and for the economy
Economy Social transformation Employment
The transition to a decarbonised economy is not only essential to halting climate change, but is also a driver of economic growth with the potential to create millions of green jobs. We are talking about jobs aimed directly at protecting the environment or which seek to minimise impact on the health of the planet.
According to the Emissions Gap Report 2024, published by the United Nations (UN), the current insufficient climate commitments put the world on track for a global temperature increase of at least between 2.6 and 3.1 °C by the end of the century. This is well above the 1.5°C estimated in the Paris Agreement. As the report explains, the world needs to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions 57% over the next ten years to succeed in limiting the effects of global warming. Net zero emissions pledges, if fully met, could make progress in reducing the projected global temperature increase to 2.2°C, closer to the Agreement, but below the 2°C expected. Otherwise, there is a risk that the frequency and intensity of the disastrous climate impacts that have shaken the planet in recent years will increase.
In light of the situation, humankind needs to speed up the transition toward a decarbonised economy which respects the environment. Such a transition not only has the potential to halt climate change, but also to become a real driver of growth by creating numerous green jobs in a great number of sectors, something that has been happening in the last few years in rich and emerging economies alike.
The circular economy, which involves reusing, repairing or recycling, increasing sustainable manufacturing and consumption, will also create green jobs. As well as reducing waste, the circular economy will save energy and contribute to preventing irreversible damage in terms of the climate, biodiversity and air, ground and water pollution caused by our exploitation of resources at a rate faster than the planet can replace them.
What are green jobs and what is their impact on the economy
In the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) green jobs are defined as "positions in agriculture, manufacturing, R&D, administrative, and service activities aimed at substantially preserving or restoring environmental quality". In other words, environmental jobs are those aimed at protecting and promoting the environment, or those which consider their impact on the health of the planet at all times and endeavour to minimise it. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), this type of job:
Increases efficient consumption of energy and raw materials.
Limits greenhouse gas emissions.
Minimises waste and contamination.
Protects and restores ecosystems.
Contributes to adaptation to climate change.
Another benefit of these green jobs is their effect on the global economy. The ILO has warned that, if nothing changes, growth in future employment will be insufficient to satisfy the growth in the workforce in emerging and developing countries. However, despite the fact that changes in energy production and use could create more jobs, according to a study by the World Economic Forum, almost 94% of companies say they do not have the talent to generate green jobs.
These changes, aimed at complying with the Paris Agreement and generating green jobs, will include more extensive use of energy from renewable sources, the growth of electric vehicles and carrying out construction works to achieve energy efficiency in buildings.
Industries with the most sought-after green jobs
As a consequence of the decarbonisation of the economy and the development of the circular economy, jobs of future will be created, with existing jobs adapting to the new green reality. According to the experts, these are the sectors with the most potential to create green jobs:
Green jobs in energy
In 2023, the industry will reach an all-time high of 16.2 million jobs. This is according to the report by the ILO and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) "Renewable energy and jobs: annual review 2024". Despite the post-pandemic upturn, the distribution remains uneven with China and Europe leading the way, while in Africa only few regions are able to offer sustainable energy jobs.
Green jobs in farming
The organic food and beverage market was valued at $174.37 B in 2024 and is expected to reach $233.56 B by 2029. In recent years the demand for these products has increased considerably, especially as consumers now tend to look for organic or clean label foods and beverages. This has led to more and more brands entering the industry, with the largest niche market in North America and the fastest growing in Asia-Pacific. As a result, green jobs in rural areas have increased in recent years.
Green jobs in design
European policies require increasingly high recycling rates and establish ever-stricter ecodesign criteria. This fact, added to many consumer' environmental awareness, have made ecodesign — from packaging to building roofs and myriad products — a booming source of jobs.
Green jobs in tourism
In a society increasingly concerned with the health of the planet, ecological tourism — or ecotourism — is a rising trend. This sector creates jobs related to activities such as design of adventure experiences, the creation of high mountain trails and the discovery of protected areas, as well as the renewal of rural areas, such as ecovillages, at risk of disappearance.
Green jobs in transport
This sector is responsible for more than 30% of CO2 emissions in the European Union (EU), 72% of which come from road transport. Many countries have already adopted measures to drastically reduce transport emissions. The EU will cut these by 60% compared to 1990 levels for 2050, creating job opportunities in the electric vehicles sector, public transport and electrified railway good haulage.
¿What type of training is required for a green job?
Due to the wide range of green jobs available today, there is no single training profile for those known as green collar workers. Other than degrees, courses and postgraduate courses specialising in ecology, green training for a specific job consists of environmental specialisation within a sector.
People who work designing packaging, for example, must have a command of environmentally friendly materials. Likewise, a lawyer interested in protecting nature must specialise in environmental law and an engineer wanting to work in the energy sector will have to specialise in everything to do with renewable energy, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of the economy.
Examples of the most sought-after green jobs
And the top ten green jobs in demand are:
- Renewable energy engineers
- Architects or engineers specialising in buildings energy efficiency and energy renovation
- Sustainability consultants
- Circular economy specialists
- Environmental engineers
- Sustainable mobility technicians
- Agronomists specialising in sustainable agriculture
- Environmental project managers
- Sustainable finance specialists
- Sustainable tourism specialists
Iberdrola and green jobs
Iberdrola has presented a study that it conducted with The Economist Impact, which argues that green skills will be the most important driver of the energy transition.
The report, entitled Green Skills, explores the impact of the green transition on global job markets and is based on a worldwide survey of 1,000 business leaders, specific working groups and an advisory board of subject matter experts. It analyses nine countries and four sectors of the economy playing a central role in the green transition, including emerging tech, construction and infrastructure, transport and logistics, and energy and utilities.
According to the survey, most business leaders around the world see responsibility for driving the green transition as lying with the private sector rather than employment policies, and anticipate more opportunities than challenges. However, rapid progress towards a low-emission economy is threatened by the inability of businesses to develop and obtain sufficient green skills.
Green Jobs in the rural environment
The creation of green jobs in rural areas implies the existence of a number of emerging sectors with opportunities for young people and rural communities to contribute to a fair and green economy. Green jobs in this sector represent a possibility to achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Iberdrola, within its mission to give visibility to the initiatives implemented to promote renewable energies, socioeconomic development and the conservation of diversity, has created the CONVIVE programme.
As a benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola wanted to reward the best initiatives in environmental, agricultural and social coexistence with renewables in the second edition of the CONVIVE Awards.
The aim of the award ceremony, held in Spain, was to recognise those initiatives, partnerships, companies, actions and local organisations that exemplify the integration of renewable energies with socioeconomic development and the conservation of biodiversity.
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