Enabling net zero through a green workforce in Africa

Green skills - a critical factor in realising the success and speed of the just transition.

Overview

In this report we analyse the sustainability response towards upskilling the workforce as a global imperative to enable the just transition. Sustainability initiatives have wide-scale reach and identifying new trends and innovations requires broad awareness from organisations.

As the world transitions to net zero, the role of traditional jobs is changing. As jobs become redundant, new jobs, which we refer to as ‘green’ and that align with or support net zero goals, are created. The transition to the green economy requires organisations to take a proactive and intentional approach towards developing a green workforce.

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Three main categories of green jobs:

1. Green new and emerging: The transition to a sustainable economy is leading to the creation of new jobs with unique tasks and demands.

2. Green enhanced skills: The transition to a sustainable economy is significantly changing the tasks, skills and knowledge requirements.

3. Green increased demand: The transition to a sustainable economy has increased the demand for these occupations, but greening has not significantly changed the tasks or demand for workers. Such work supports green business but is indirectly considered green because it does not involve green tasks.

A holistic, data-driven approach is required to sustainably manage workforce risk, embrace diversity and inclusion and develop the green skills that will be needed to prepare for the future, today.