5 Top Green Industries for Jobs in Demand

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Green jobs are rising as the world becomes much more conscious of the necessity to save our planet. The global economy is shifting to a low-carbon model, which will be vital in ensuring continued economic growth while addressing the challenges of climate change.

This process has already begun, creating over 400 thousand jobs in low-carbon business sectors and their supply chains in the UK alone. We expect the rise of careers prioritizing environmental sustainability as the government has set a target of 2 million green jobs in the UK by 2030.

Per the PwC Green Jobs Barometer, the number of green jobs advertised in the UK has almost trebled in the last year. Green jobs cover various job types in different sectors of the economy, including alternative and renewable energy, biofuel, ecology, energy efficiency, and recycling.

If you want to make a career change or are just starting in the workforce, consider green industry jobs, as they will open a way to build a meaningful and fulfilling career.

Here is a list of top green industries for jobs expected to rise in 2023 and beyond.

1. Renewable Energy Jobs

When considering careers in the green industry, the renewable energy sector comes to mind first. It includes solar, wind, geothermal, oil, coal, and gas energy and opens many employment opportunities.

Energy jobs are among the highest paying today, and it is the same for renewable energy jobs. If you want to positively impact the environment while advancing your career, it might be the right fit for you. Among all renewable energy opportunities, we recommend looking at renewable energy analyst and consultant jobs.

It will suit you best if you have excellent math and analytical skills and an interest in renewable energy. In these roles, you will help clients understand potential opportunities for energy-efficient structure improvements. As an analyst, you will primarily work with energy use data and develop the best energy models for buildings.

If you also have excellent communication and soft skills, you can progress to a consultant role and advise clients on sustainable energy solutions to make buildings more energy-efficient. The job market for energy analysts and consultants is expected to grow significantly in the next few years as the need for energy efficiency increases.

2. Recycling Jobs

The recycling sector plays a critical role in promoting sustainability and reducing waste. Recycling jobs involve collecting, processing, and transforming materials that would otherwise end up in dumps or contribute to pollution. The world brings attention to building an ecosystem to collect, reuse and recycle waste.

We recommend you have a look for new job opportunities in recycling, especially in the manufacturing sector. By transforming recycled materials into new products, numerous job opportunities arise across various sectors, such as production, marketing, accounting, human resources, sales, engineering, and more.

To find such a job, search for a company that processes recycling materials. The main advantage is that you can choose from various career opportunities in different departments of such a company, from engineering to marketing. And remember, the more people recycle, the more job opportunities appear.

3. Civil Engineering Jobs

The impact of civil engineers on the sustainability, resilience, and safety of the built environment is significant. Depending on their specific field, civil engineers can analyze and design to optimize material use, minimize the effects of development on the surrounding ecosystems, and rehabilitate sites that have been degraded or contaminated.

Civil engineers can work in various green jobs focusing on sustainable design, construction, and building environment maintenance. Per PwC Green Jobs Barometer, nearly one-third of green jobs are now based in London and the South East. The main advantage of a civil engineering career is the possibility of working in any country.

You can easily find a civil engineer job on the Jooble search engine and gain work experience abroad.

4. Urban Farming Jobs

Urban farming is trending now as people try to grow more themselves or try new things such as worm farming for example. This trend refers to the world’s need to feed more citizens using less land and water. It involves the cultivation of crops on rooftops and in vertically stacked layers, and it requires skilled practitioners to make a success of it.

Such jobs have many green benefits, such as energy conservation, increased biodiversity in the urban area, nutrient cycling, and micro-climate control. But, how to become an urban farmer?

The first step is to obtain your own experience. Determine what you want to farm and where. Before engaging in any urban farming adventures, it’s best to run your plans by your local government to ensure you are safe from land use or animal control regulations. Get more inspiration through these green business innovation ideas.

5. Sustainable Transportation Jobs

30% of the world’s total gas emissions come from transportation. That is why there is a demand for implementing innovative and advanced transport solutions to reduce environmental and social impacts within operations.

Sustainable transportation is a viable alternative solution. This type of transportation relies on renewable energy sources to power vehicles. You can work in transportation planning to optimize vehicle flow. In the AI era, it is easy to efficiently plan effective routes not only in terms of logistic cost reduction but also in terms of environmental impact.

As you can see, many job opportunities arise in the sustainability sector and you should consult your teachers or lecturers about these or do internships to learn more.

Additionally, you can find ways to do your job to reduce your environmental impact and promote sustainability.

Here are some sustainability suggestions:

Reduce energy consumption: Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
Reduce waste: Use reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags instead of disposable ones, and recycle or compost whenever possible.
Choose green transportation: Consider using public transport, biking, or walking instead of driving alone in a car.
Use sustainable products: Look for products made from sustainable materials with eco-friendly certifications.
Support sustainable practices: Choose to support businesses and organizations that promote sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy sources and reducing waste.

By adopting these practices and making small changes in your daily routines, you can live greener and help promote a more sustainable future.

Green careers make a difference in the short and long term, literally making the world a better place while giving you a purpose and challenge. We covered some of the trending green industry jobs here, but we encourage you to do your own research and switch to the green side.

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Manuela WillboldOnline Media & PR Strategist

Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Fascinated to Write Lifestyle Blogs in News & Education I have completed a journalism summer course at the London School of Journalism and manage various blogs.