Inspiration Space

What is the green economy? Jobs, skills and opportunities

Joe Ahern and Farah Lodi explain what the green economy means, where opportunities differ and how existing skills can contribute.

What is the green economy — and where could it create opportunities for businesses, workers and local communities?

Joe Ahern, Head of Policy at WPI Economics, and Farah Lodi, sustainability expert and Carbon Literacy advocate, unpack green jobs, net zero and the shift towards a lower-carbon economy.

What you’ll learn

  • What counts as a green job or green business
  • Which sectors could play a significant role
  • Why opportunities differ between regions
  • How existing professions are becoming greener
  • Why skills, reskilling and carbon literacy matter
  • How consistent policy gives businesses confidence to invest
  • What a fair transition means for workers and communities

Watch this if

You want a clearer understanding of the green economy and where your existing experience, profession or business could fit within it.

Chapters

  • 0:00 Introducing the green economy
  • 6:15 What is a green job?
  • 7:36 Industries driving the green economy
  • 10:25 Regional opportunities
  • 15:18 Existing jobs becoming greener
  • 17:15 Reskilling and a fair transition
  • 20:36 Opportunities for business support services
  • 24:08 Collaboration between business and education
  • 27:25 Why policy certainty matters
  • 31:14 Connecting policy with carbon literacy
  • 33:02 Greenwashing, finance and commercial risk
  • 37:19 Future-proofing communities and businesses
  • 40:48 Consumption, repair and the circular economy
  • 43:09 Rethinking economic growth

What to do next

Ask where your existing skills or business expertise could contribute. Finance, construction, transport, training, communications and technology are already changing — and entirely new expertise may not be required.