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Articles- Jan 09,24
Green experts are in high demand in the chemicals, petrochemical, plastics, and rubber industries, adds Neeti Sharma. With her expertise and experience, she pens down the vital role of skills and training in carbon-neutral strategies for an organisation and individual.
As the world grapples with the effects of climate change and its impact on the environment, organisations are increasingly keen to adopt more carbon neutral strategies to mitigate the environmental impact. However, achieving carbon neutrality goes beyond just adopting green technologies, it also demands a qualified and trained workforce that possesses the right skills to navigate the complexities of sustainable practices. In this article, let's look at the skills required to enable the successful implementation of carbon neutral strategies and key competencies that both organisations and individuals will require to succeed in this endeavour.
According to a recent TeamLease report, between 2022 and 2023, the share of green talent in the workforce (members that have added green skills to their profile and/or are working in a green job) rose by 12.3 per cent while job postings requiring at least one green skill rose by 22.4 per cent. However, globally only one in eight workers possess the requisite green skills, leaving the vast majority of the workforce underqualified. The decarbonisation of India by 2070 has the potential to provide up to $15 trillion in economic opportunities and up to 50 million net new jobs.
Furthermore, India’s pledge to reach a 500 gigawatt clean energy goal by 2030 has resulted in an 81 per cent year-on-year surge in the demand for green jobs in January 2023 with major metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru taking the lead. It is also worth noting that the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, BFSI, and consulting sectors have the highest hiring for ESG roles. Green experts are in high demand in the chemicals, petrochemical, plastics, and rubber industries.
Importance of skill training in the green energy sector
According to a TeamLease report, India currently employs 20 per cent of its workforce in green jobs, and it is expected to double by 2030. The employment prospects in green sectors appear optimistic, with expected significant expansion. India has the capacity to create 35 million green jobs by 2047, while the current count stands at 18.52 million green jobs in the country. In this context, a transition to a carbon-neutral future requires a paradigm shift in how organisations function and green skills training is a fundamental requirement to achieve this goal. Companies that invest in developing the skills of their workforce not only contribute to a sustainable future but also position themselves as leaders in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Top green skills for the future
Despite India’s shift toward a greener economy, there remains a significant gap in skills required and the lack of a skilled workforce in sustainable development is estimated to lead to an annual GDP loss of 3-10 per cent from 2021 onwards. Let's look at some of the primary skills that Indian youth must acquire for India to achieve its sustainable and carbon neutrality goals.
Technical skills
Technical expertise is a fundamental skill that is required for successful achievement of any carbon-neutrality goal. Both at an organisational level and at a national level, proficiency in green building design, carbon capture methods, renewable energy systems, waste reduction strategies, and carbon-reduction technologies is critical. Technical experts will be required to analyse, implement, and monitor strategies and ensure innovative solutions are implemented to achieve carbon neutrality.
Data management skills
Meeting carbon neutrality targets requires robust data analysis and data management skills to understand, track, and optimise an organisation's environmental performance. Designing and implementing proficient data analysis and management programs are essential to achieving ESG and carbon neutrality goals. Real-time monitoring of emissions and energy consumption helps in tracking and identifying patterns and responding quickly to any target deviations. Collecting and handling vast amounts of data also raises security concerns, and professionals who are well versed in data security and protection will always be in demand in the sector.
Operation and project management skills
Implementing carbon-neutral strategies often involves complex projects with multiple stakeholders. Project management skills are essential to ensure the seamless execution of sustainability initiatives. Since project management skills are transferable, experts from other industries can perform the function with minimal training. However, project managers in the ESG or CSR sectors must be able to plan, execute, and monitor projects and ensure that they align with India’s carbon neutrality and reduction goals, often within tight deadlines.
Sustainability reporting skills
Sustainability reporting is a skill that is in high demand across the ESG sector, and it is a multidisciplinary field that may require multiple sub-skill sets as well. Apart from having a good grasp of data analytics, metrics, and tools, sustainability reporting requires strong communication, research, writing, and presentation skills as well. Knowledge of other topics such as human rights, biodiversity, climate change, and circular economy is also extremely important.
Regulatory compliance and reporting skills
Regulatory compliance and reporting are critical for an organisation aiming to achieve carbon neutrality, candidates with knowledge of relevant laws, standards, and reporting requirements related to sustainability are always in demand. Familiarity with national and global regulations relating to carbon emission, ESG factors, and environmental sustainability is critical to perform a regulatory compliance role. Knowledge of reporting frameworks such as the ability to align reporting practices with emerging standards and guidelines are also crucial requirements. Regulatory compliance officers are required to help organisations improve their transparency and accountability and ensure greenwashing does not occur.
Lifelong learning and adaptability
The field of sustainability is dynamic, with new technologies and best practices emerging regularly. Professionals committed to lifelong learning and adaptability can stay ahead of the curve. Investing in training programs that keep employees updated on the latest developments in sustainable practices ensures that organisations remain at the forefront of the carbon-neutral movement. Lifelong learning is a critical skill, especially considering the rapid pace of technological advancements in the sector.
In conclusion, the surge in green talent and job postings in India underscores the nation's commitment to creating a sustainable and carbon-free future. The ambitious targets, such as decarbonisation by 2070 and a 500 gigawatt clean energy goal by 2030, present both challenges and opportunities. The demand for green skills, particularly in sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, BFSI, and consulting, is rising, signalling a transformative shift toward sustainability. However, a significant skills gap persists, threatening potential GDP losses. To bridge this gap and realise India's sustainable and carbon-neutral goals, a robust development, India can not only achieve environmental targets but also position its workforce as global leaders in the evolving landscape of sustainability.
Neeti Sharma is the Co-Founder and President of TeamLease EdTech, a company that specialises in providing Learning Solutions for the traditional and employed learners. A professional journey of over 30 years with a blend of building and managing businesses, strategic thinking, leadership and making a difference in lives of many both in the Indian and International markets, she has acquired domain expertise and is extremely passionate and operates at the intersection of Employment, Employability and Education. She has also been listed as Top 200 women founders of EdTech companies by HolonIQ.
Neeti Sharma
TeamLease
Delhi
Mumbai
Bengaluru
ESG roles
Green experts
EdTech
HolonIQ
Green Engineering
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