UK needs youth in green economy to meet Net Zero targets

In ‘Planning for the future: Recruiting diverse talent into waste and resources management’, 70% of 16–24 year olds surveyed have never received any careers advice on the skills required or roles available in the waste and resources management sector, while around half cited a lack of information as a career barrier, despite the UK government legislating a Net Zero emissions target in 2019 for 2050.

Unsurprisingly, as a result, 84% of those questioned have not even considered a career in the sector with insufficient salary, benefits, and job instability cited as the other main barriers to entry, according to the research from leading community charity, Groundwork and the Environmental Services and Solutions (ESS) Expo. Among the younger generation (16–17-year-olds), 62% believed that the work is unappealing and ‘dirty’ while almost half (42%) stated that it was the lack of role models in the sector putting them off.

However, in spite of so many young people admitting to not considering a career in the sector, almost half (47%) reported that having a job that helps the UK reach carbon neutrality was important to them, with more of those in the older 18–24 age group considering it important (49%) than those aged 16 and 17 (28%). This suggests that more work needs to be done for employers and those with influence to educate Gen Z on the role they play in achieving Net Zero.

Garry Campbell, Head of Policy and Communications at Groundwork UK, said: “If the UK is to meet its carbon targets, it will require a new and diverse workforce, yet, sadly, our report highlights the work that must be done to ensure young people, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, don’t miss out on rich and rewarding careers in the environmental sector. To achieve this, we need a mix of better careers guidance in schools, action to inspire young people about the opportunities on offer, and a concerted effort in the sector to create more accessible career pathways.”

A perceived and actual lack of diversity is also a considerable barrier to entry for those from minority ethnic groups. Of the 150,000 people currently employed in the sector in the UK, 97% are white, compared with a national average of 47%, highlighting a clear need for the sector to actively adapt to ensure greater participation. Indeed, according to the report, 32% of black respondents and 29% of Chinese respondents stated that greater diversity in the waste and resources management sector would encourage them to enter. In addition, more entry-level jobs would also appeal to 69% of respondents from a mixed ethnic background.

Rob Mowat, Managing Director of ESS Expo, added: “The waste and resources management sector offers a diverse array of career pathways, and this is only expected to increase as roles continue to emerge and evolve. However, it is essential that as a group, we come together to boost the visibility of the sector as central to the UK’s climate mission. As an industry, we need to seek out ways of better communicating the opportunities, roles, and benefits of working in the sector in a way that truly resonates with the younger generation. We also need to pair this with tackling the perceived barriers to entry for maximum success.”

While there is still clearly work to be done, there are a number of projects and initiatives ongoing which aim to increase the attractiveness and diversity of the sector. However, while they represent an incredibly positive step, such initiatives require engagement from within the sector with the support of charities as well as government to actively deliver change.

Groundwork’s New to Nature is a programme of paid work placements designed to deliver life-changing career opportunities for people from under-represented groups, whilst contributing to wider efforts to create a more diverse and accessible natural environment sector. The programme was developed to respond to the need for a new green workforce and a lack of diversity in the environmental sector, and is being delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, Youth Environmental Service, Prince’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, and Mission Diverse and is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.