Several studies confirm that, alongside technological profiles, Demand for professions that impact the environment is increasing from different perspectives, such as engineering, design or auditing.
THE Agenda 2030 and sustainable development goals agreed have caused a gradual growth in so-called green jobs, which are, as described by the International Labor Organization, jobs that contribute to preserving and restoring the environment, whether in traditional sectors such as manufacturing or construction or in new emerging sectors. technologies such as renewable energy.
Thus, in the report Future of Jobs Report of the World Economic Forum which analyzes the transformations of the global labor market for the period 2023-2027, it is noted that the sectors with the highest employment growth will be linked to technology, digitalization and sustainability.
According to this report, 81% of companies believe that the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards will increase and this requires experts capable of implementing the necessary enforcement and verification measures. And, in fact, in a ranking from the same study, sustainable development specialists occupy second place when it comes to job creation.
Another fact that confirms the importance of green talent is that globally, between 2022 and 2023, Hiring for green jobs increased by 15.2%according to Linkedin’s 2023 Global Green Skills Report.
Engineers, scientists and auditors
In the case of Spain, It is estimated that 14% of jobs in Spain are already linked to the environmentwith growing demand for green skills, such as engineering and sustainable design (Randstad Report Training Trends for the Future of Jobs 2023). In addition, it is estimated that the energy transition will indirectly generate some 118,000 jobs per year in Spain until 2030, notably in the sectors of renewable energy, energy savings and efficiency, networks and electrification.
The development of renewable energies requires engineers who are experts in the implementation of hydraulic, wind, photovoltaic energy systems, etc. It is therefore one of the most demanded sectors and it is possible to train with the degree in renewable energy engineering offered by centers such as the Autonomous University of Barcelona or the University of the Basque Country.
On the other hand, the new CSRD legislation (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) requires companies to comprehensively report indicators and will require experts to prepare sustainability reports and also verify them, just as is done for financial reports.
This is why the auditing sector also opens a new employment window for professionals related to sustainable development. At this time, the The profile of an expert auditor in sustainable development is rare and the market demand for these professionals was born the first Master in Sustainable Development Audit, promoted by the College of Censors Jurats de Comptes de Catalunya jointly with Abat Oliva CEU University.
Another of the green professions offering the most job opportunities would be that of environmentalistswhich perform multiple functions such as management of conservation areas, advice on environmental protection, restoration of contaminated soils,… It is surely one of the most consolidated training courses in the Spanish university system and, in this sense, the Diploma in Environmental Sciences is widespread throughout the territory.
In the field of business, the concept of circular economy has been strengthened in recent years and European legislation on waste management aims to promote a more efficient use of raw materials and the reduction of waste, based on recycling and as part of a lower consumption of raw materials. less waste, fewer emissions. Therefore, the a circular economy expert is essential to promote businesses from this sustainable perspective and it is a professional opportunity that is here to stay. Currently, there is a Master’s degree in Circular Economy in several Spanish universities (CEU San Pablo University, University of the Basque Country and University of Zaragoza).
Finally, another of the fields with the most professional future is that of the designer of sustainable products, that is to say design using new, more environmentally friendly materials. There are already some specific training courses such as the Master of Sustainable Design (title of the IED, Istituto European di Design), the Master of Sustainable Product Design (technology school of design) or the Master in Design using New Materials (title of the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia).
