According to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), global temperatures reached unprecedented levels in 2023, resulting in substantial glacier disintegration and intense heat waves.
Nevertheless, 2024 appears poised to exceed even that. Omar Baddour, Head Climate Monitoring at WMO, predicted that "2024 will almost certainly surpass the records set in 2023," citing concerning temperatures trends in the first half of the year.
Considering this situation, it is recommended that all worldwide firms adopt the Net Zero sustainability goal as a solution. Net Zero initiatives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2, CH4, and N2O, to a level that is in line with the Earth's ability to absorb or remove these pollutants. The objective is to reduce overall net emissions to zero, thereby giving rise to the term "Net Zero Emissions."
How can Net Zero be achieved by 2050? Solutions are provided by two eco-friendly trends, namely the Green Workforce and Green Jobs.
Educating The Next Generation Of Green Workers
The Green Workforce consists of individuals working in sustainable job sectors. They work together to help build a forward-thinking, environmentally aware society that relies less on oil, gas, and other damaging energy sources.
An effective green workforce begins with educating the younger generation. Since they will bear the brunt of climate change impacts, starting education at the high school level is crucial to equip them to adapt to environmental changes.
An effective education system is essential for a thriving society. Advanced countries are now incorporating "climate change" into their official curricula, alongside traditional subjects like Math and Literature.
Italy is one of the top countries that has successfully incorporated "climate change" into its official education curriculum. In an interview with Reuters, Fioramonti, Italian Former Minister of Education stated, "All state schools in Italy would dedicate 33 hours per year, almost one hour per school week, to discussing climate change issues”.
In addition, subjects such as Mathematics, Geography, and Physics will include environmental knowledge, giving students a well-rounded understanding and real-world application after they graduate.
This policy stems from prioritizing "the environment" as the central focus. By educating children about the environment early on, it brings climate issues closer to them, reinforcing the significance of environmental protection for humanity.
With a foundation in "green" education, each new generation will possess the knowledge to construct a sustainable future. This will pave the way for green professions to cultivate skilled human resources, starting from their schooling years.
Green Jobs Repels Environmental Harm
Driven by the ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2050, there has been a remarkable surge in the creation of green jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these green jobs fulfill 2 crucial criteria:
- Creating eco-friendly products: Including the production of renewable energy, solar power, and organic goods, all of which contribute to a healthier environment.
- Minimizing harm: Managing environmental waste, implementing cost-effective processes, and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions in operations.
Every business is now part of the race towards Net Zero. Consequently, the demand for recruitment in "green" occupations is rising across all sectors. These green jobs may encompass roles like Environmental Engineer, Data Analyst, Environmental Consultant,...
This trend opens up significant development opportunities for "green” jobs. The World Economic Forum website also highlighted a surge in environmental job opportunities, doubling the pool of genuinely suitable and qualified candidates.
This indicates that career prospects are wide open for environmental professionals. You can gauge the popularity of green jobs on LinkedIn by searching for keywords like "green/environment." The results will display numerous job postings for positions such as Environmental Engineer, Sustainable Development Specialist, Environmental Strategy Consultant. You could be a strong candidate for these roles.
Workers can enhance their competitive edge in the job market by developing skill sets aligned with sustainable trends, also known as green skills. According to Indeed, the following skill set can boost your competitive advantage in the labor market:
- Analysis: Assess the adverse impacts of climate change and explore methods to mitigate human impact on the environment.
- Research: Develop and implement insulation solutions for buildings. Analyze building structures and optimize insulation usage.
- Technical Skills: Improve crop cultivation techniques and agricultural harvesting methods. Utilize technology to reduce environmental impact from machinery and processing facilities.
In the middle of the sustainability movement, these environmentally friendly career options provide employees with a strong market position. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a thorough grasp of how to keep ahead of the sustainability trend, allowing you to make better-educated decisions for the environment moving forward.
The 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference by Raise Partners and Vietnam Innovators by Vietcetera
Join us in the two-day conference to engage with investors and funds, business leaders, Vietnamese and international governments, start-ups, experts, academia, and the media to spark meaningful collaboration and accelerate green and inclusive growth in Vietnam.
When: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, 16-17th May 2024
Where: New World Saigon Hotel76 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Event details: find out more HERE
Thank you to our sponsors:Dynam Capital and Vietnam Holding (Title Sponsor), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Leading Government Partner), British University Vietnam, HSBC Vietnam (Major Sponsor), New World Saigon Hotel (Venue Sponsor), Vero Asean (Official Communications Partner), Eurocham and Nordcham (Promotional Partner)