As companies and governments adopt greener and more responsible practices, there is a need to transform traditional sectors and create new green jobs. This change not only responds to the urgent need to mitigate environmental impact but also represents an opportunity to revitalize the labor market with innovations that promote sustainable development.
In this context, green jobs, which include roles in renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, and environmental conservation, are booming. Professions such as solar energy technicians, environmental engineers, and sustainability specialists are increasingly in demand. Furthermore, the reconversion of existing jobs in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture toward more sustainable practices is essential to achieve a low-carbon economy resilient to climate change.
“The development and exercise of a sustainable economy demands technical knowledge that is not only exhausted in the field of renewable energies but also covers the scope of systems and technologies that are constantly innovating and opening up spaces in fields that, previously, were unimaginable,” explained Erika Serrano, partner in the Environment and Natural Resources area of Posse Herrera Ruiz.
She added that artificial intelligence is a clear example of this since when used well, this tool can become a fundamental ally for developing systems that can predict, calculate, control, and thus avoid unwanted impacts on projects and activities.
Thus, it is likely that the labor outlook within the framework of the transition toward a sustainable economy will demand, in addition to experts in environmental management, renewable energy and/or energy efficiency, professionals in information systems, technology, and artificial intelligence.
For example, the issuance of the Single-Use Plastics Law (Law 2232 of July 2022) is an example of how the labor market changes when the focus is on the sustainable field.
“Many companies have accelerated their efforts to gradually reduce the plastic they put on the market, through the implementation of sustainable alternatives that seek to replace or reduce plastic consumption,” added Álvaro José Rodríguez, partner in the Corporate Sustainability area of Posse Herrera Ruiz.
Some of these efforts are effective recycling for reincorporation into production processes, and the development of compostable or biodegradable products, among others.
On the other hand, some companies have taken full advantage and capitalized on the opportunities offered by the Single-Use Plastics Law, implementing and promoting selective collection, recycling, and transformation systems.
This allows them to supply the Colombian market with the national post-consumer recycled plastic resin that other producers and market players are significantly demanding to keep their plastic products in circulation. In this way, plastic processing and transforming companies have successfully promoted the requirements of the circular economy.
However, this transition also presents significant challenges. “The need for education and training so that workers acquire new skills is crucial to avoid structural unemployment.” Furthermore, government policies must play a fundamental role in facilitating this change, ensuring that equitable opportunities are created and social disparities are minimized,” Rodríguez explained.
In sum, the transition to a sustainable economy will not only transform the type of jobs available but will also redefine the skills needed, and the way societies approach economic development.
Lina Delgado, director of the Business Intelligence area at Control Risks, said that there are two key elements related to the labor market and the transition process to a green economy. “First, there will be job creation and second, these new jobs will require other types of capabilities/skills. They need highly trained employees,” explained Delgado.
Now, the new requirements for employees in terms of capabilities, knowledge, and skills are going present a significant challenge because they are elements that current employees do not have. Mainly, she assured, we are talking about technical knowledge, and knowledge of prevention and mitigation of environmental risks, such as demonstrating experience in issues of pollution prevention and effective waste management.
This experience is very limited in developing economies and is even a challenge for more advanced countries in terms of sustainability such as Canada and the United States. This means that companies will have to support their employees by creating training focused on the development of new skills. Furthermore, in sectors with the presence of unions, they must collaborate with companies to ensure an employee-centered transition, in order to achieve the objectives necessary for a successful economic transition process.
Another important issue is the gender gap. As Delgado explained, although progress has been made in this matter, in green economies women with technical skills and abilities are very few and even their representation in sectors such as renewable energy is not frequent either. This presents an additional challenge for companies seeking to have gender equity within their teams.
Therefore, the transition toward a sustainable economy represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the global labor market. The demand for new green jobs and the reconversion of traditional roles requires a significant update of workers’ skills and abilities. Companies and governments must collaborate to provide the necessary training and ensure that employees are prepared for these changes.
Furthermore, the implementation of inclusive and equitable policies is crucial to minimize social and gender disparities in this process. Only through a joint and coordinated effort, which includes all sectors of society, will it be possible to achieve a low-carbon and resilient economy, capable of facing the challenges of climate change while promoting sustainable development and equity in the labor sphere.
Erika Serrano, Partner in the Environment and Natural Resources area of Posse Herrera Ruiz
Álvaro José Rodríguez, Partner of the Corporate Sustainability area of Posse Herrera Ruiz
Lina Delgado, Director of the Business Intelligence area at Control Risks
