That is according to new polling by ISEP Corporate Partner, SUEZ, which found that just 44% of young people aged 16-18 know why the government is pushing for net zero, compared to 69% of 25-34 year-olds and 87% of business leaders.
The findings also show that only 17% of young people see AI and technology as key to tackling climate change – compared to 53% of businesses leaders – while just 21% consider engineering to be a green skill.
SUEZ has since written to the education secretary Bridget Phillipson and energy secretary Ed Miliband labelling the data a “wake-up call” and warning that the UK is not equipping young people with the desire and critical skills for the net-zero transition.
“We risk facing a green skills crisis in the UK,” said Dr Adam Read MBE, chief sustainability and external affairs officer at SUEZ. “Businesses of all sizes need to hire for green roles, but we are not providing students with the training they need for these roles, and there are still stark gaps in green career opportunities between regions of the UK.
“These findings should be a wake-up call for the government and our industry, to do more to give young people the tools needed for a sustainable career. It is also risks undermining the UK’s ability to compete internationally and attract the best talent to work in the net-zero transition.”
Worryingly, only 34% of 16 to 18-year-olds surveyed said that their education has prepared them well for a career in a sustainable sector.
When asked what would help access more green skills opportunities or jobs, the top results included: more information on where to find opportunities, more training at school or college, better advertising on social media, and better careers education.
Contrary to various other studies that suggest purpose is a key driver when choosing an employer, the SUEZ poll found that just 18% of 16 to 18-year-olds prioritise a job which benefits the environment, and 72% cited a good salary as important criteria for a future career.
The waste management company’s letter to government calls on ministers to:
Read added: “We cannot afford to waste so much potential which we’ll desperately need if we are to tackle the major challenges we face in reaching net zero and a more circular economy. We are urging the government to launch a new campaign to promote the exciting array of green jobs out there.”
Visit ISEP's Green Careers Hub to better understand the opportunities for workers in the green economy.
Read our recent roundtable discussion on the barriers to young people acquiring green skills.
Image credit: Shutterstock
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of ISEP’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for ISEP members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.
