58% of respondents of the National Environmental Services Survey feel that there is or will be a green skills gap
A new survey from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), The Environmental Services Association (ESA), Groundwork, and ESS Expo (Environmental Services and Solutions Expo), has revealed a significant green skills gap, with 58% of respondents feeling UK businesses are unprepared for the transition to a sustainable future.
Findings from the National Environmental Services Survey, highlight that 58% of respondents feel there is or will be a green skills gap in UK businesses.
When asked about what challenges they foresee in measuring and achieving biodiversity net-gain, the most cited answer was the [lack of] knowledge and skills gap.
Meanwhile, 99.7% of respondents believe technology has a role to play in accelerating the path to net zero emissions.
The survey gathered data from 1,498 professionals from across the environmental services industry from April-May 2024.
The survey findings indicate acute shortages in green skills educational programmes
Leading the list, one in four (25.69%) respondents indicated a high demand for skills in waste management and the circular economy, followed by over one in 10 (12.33%) calling for expertise in resilience building and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Other shortages revealed lie in sustainability and environmental management (11.41%), carbon management and offsetting (8.41%), and environmental law and policy (8.06%).
AI could be utilised in filling the green skills gap
The research also touched on the path to net zero emissions, with a staggering 99.7% of respondents agreeing that technology has a role to play in accelerating the path towards carbon neutrality.
Technology will likely offer numerous opportunities for bridging the green skills gap. For example, online learning platforms can deliver specialised green training skills to a wider audience, while virtual reality simulations can provide immersive training experiences for complex green technologies.
Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to personalise learning pathways and identify skill gaps within a workforce. By harnessing these technological advancements, organisations can equip the workforce with the necessary knowledge and expertise to effectively navigate the green transition.
The rise of roles such as the chief sustainability officer – which saw more individuals hired in 2021 alone, compared to the previous five years combined – highlights an important shift towards organisations prioritising sustainability.
However, the report data from ESS Expo suggests that many businesses are still struggling to find qualified candidates to fill these newly emerging positions.
Collaborative effort across training and business will be needed to achieve net zero
Dr. Adam Read, chief external affairs and sustainability officer at SUEZ and member of the Government’s Green Skills Delivery Group, commented:
“These results, while not unexpected, are concerning given recent efforts by CIWM and others to highlight the need for future skills. The resources and waste management sector will expand from 150,000 to nearly 450,000 staff in just under a decade and in order to prepare for this, the sector must continue improving its attractiveness and upskilling the current workforce to ensure staff retention.
“There are immense opportunities to rethink engagement and form new partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and professional bodies. Key skills in demand lie in technology, design, AI, communications, engineering, policy implementation, regulation, and data analysis, plus of course in recycling, reuse, repair, upcycling, and refurbishment.”
Rob Mowat, managing director of ESS Expo, said: “The results of the survey make it abundantly clear that there is a green skills gap across the UK workforce. As we move forward, we are going to see more organisations increasingly chasing sustainability-related goals, driven in part by a younger generation that is passionate about environmental issues.
“However, these objectives will only be met if businesses are able to acquire the necessary green skills. This lack of preparedness could potentially hinder the UK’s ability to achieve its ambitious environmental targets and capitalise on the economic opportunities presented by the transition to a net-zero economy.”
