LinkedIn co-founder Allen Blue, speaking at COP28, emphasized that the workforce must be prepared for a green future as the world pursues ambitious climate goals. According to a report released by LinkedIn, there is a significant shortage of sustainable skills that is threatening progress on the green transition. The report also highlighted that more than 50% of jobs are likely to require some form of green skills in the near future.
Allen Blue noted that while green jobs are on the rise, there is a shortage of people with the necessary skills to fill these roles. The number of individuals with green skills remains at around one in eight or one in nine in Europe, and is only growing at a rate of nine percent per year. This shortfall in skilled workers could hinder the achievement of transformative promises made at COP28.
Blue identified three key players responsible for addressing the green skills gap. Firstly, employers need to focus on hiring individuals based on their skills rather than experience or education pedigree. This can involve intensive training programs for existing employees and apprentice schemes. Secondly, investors have a responsibility to ensure that there is a return on the environmental projects they are investing in, by reducing the risk associated with a lack of trained workforce. Lastly, government intervention is crucial in ensuring that green skills training is carried out equitably, especially given the emerging gender gap in green skills and jobs.
The LinkedIn report also found that women are significantly underrepresented in both green skills and green jobs, highlighting the need for measures to ensure equitable training. Blue emphasized that governments should require companies and investors to invest in equitable skilling to address this issue. Overall, he stressed the urgency of closing the green skills gap to ensure the success of the global green transition. The world cannot afford to wait 15 years this time around.
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