Maverick Musings #16th
Trillions of dollars are being invested every year and will be for the foreseeable future. The efforts around climate are increasing exponentially. With all of that effort comes a lot of hiring - Allen Blue, co-founder of LinkedIn
Welcome, dear readers, to this month's SUSTERA Foundation newsletter edition, where we dive into climate careers. As our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, a new frontier of professions is emerging, redefining what it means to have a purposeful career.
Gone are the days when "green jobs" were limited to environmental scientists or renewable energy engineers. Today, the fight against climate change is infiltrating every sector, from finance to fashion, entertainment, and education. This shift isn't just about creating jobs; it's about reimagining our entire economic fabric through the lens of sustainability.
Why is this so critical? Because climate change is not a distant threat - it's an immediate global crisis affecting communities worldwide. The latest IPCC report underscores that we have a narrow window to avert catastrophic warming. To meet this urgency, we need all hands on deck.
India's green industry has the potential to double its current employment from 18.52 million green jobs to 35 million by 2047, according to the Green Industry Outlook report by TeamLease Digital. India aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. Initiatives such as the Smart City Mission, Make In India , National Solar Mission, Green India Mission, National Water Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission , combined with a strong focus on climate-friendly manufacturing, infrastructure development, and R&D, will continue to drive the demand for green skills and foster the growth of green jobs in India.
Key trends in green jobs based on the LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report 2023
1. There's a growing need for people with green skills. We don't have enough of them, and we're worried there could be a shortage.
2. Even when the economy is uncertain, we keep seeing more job ads for green jobs. They seem to be strong and resilient.
3. To meet goals for sustainability, we need people with green skills in energy, transportation, and finance. For jobs like procurement and supply chain management, these skills are becoming more and more important.
4. More and more industries, including those that produce a lot of carbon, are looking for people with green skills. For example, the oil and gas industry's had more and more people with green skills since 2016. By 2023, 21% of the people working in this industry had these skills.
5. Across all industries, about one in every eight workers has green skills. But in the finance industry, it's only one in fifteen workers. That's less than industries like energy, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
The gender gap in Green jobs
The green talent pool, consisting of workers with at least one green skill or green job experience, is 66% male. The green skills gender gap has grown by 25% over the past 7 years, from 4.9 percentage points in 2016 to 6.1 percentage points today. Since 2021, women have joined the green talent pool at faster rates than men, with a 12.3% annual growth rate for women compared to 9.1% for men. To close the gap, women would need to join the talent pool at 2.5 times the current rate.
Mastering Green Skills
In the climate career landscape, certain skills are indispensable.
Climate data literacy
tops the list, enabling professionals from urban planners to policymakers to transform raw data into actionable insights and compelling narratives.
2. Green innovation and entrepreneurship
Whether you're a fashion designer rethinking textile waste or a financier structuring green bonds, the ability to identify gaps, challenge norms, and scale sustainable solutions can drive market-wide shifts.
3. Community engagement and climate communication
are vital. It's about listening to diverse stakeholders, making complex science accessible, and inspiring collective action. A teacher, journalist, or CSR manager skilled in mobilizing climate-positive behaviours can spark transformative change.
The synergy of data literacy, innovation, and communication skills equips you to be a versatile climate leader who is impactful from boardrooms to grassroots movements.
Seizing Opportunities
Here are some opportunities related to climate change, if you want to get started with your career in climate:
GIZ is currently looking for impact-driven professionals. Use respective links to apply- Vocational Training and Labour Market Advisors https://lnkd.in/gftPhRiu. Gender and Local Governance Advisor https://lnkd.in/gqujasiQ. Climate Resilient Agri Finance Advisor https://lnkd.in/gBmrmdA4
2. The countdown has begun—only 6 days left to apply for the India Evolve Innovation Challenge! This is a unique opportunity for Indian youngsters aged 18 to 38 to propose innovative solutions that can significantly reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector, focusing specifically on last-mile parcel delivery. The Sustainable Mobility Network has created this challenge for youth to propose solutions and your winning idea can get you up to ₹1,00,000/-.*The total pool prize is ₹4,50,000/-. Apply here.
Youth-Led Initiatives
Inspiring the next generation of climate leaders, we celebrate the following youth-led initiatives that are making a tangible impact in the fight against climate change:
Greenpod Labs is an Indian agritech startup focused on reducing food waste. They develop innovative packaging solutions that extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. By utilizing nanotechnology, their products activate the natural defence mechanisms of produce, preventing spoilage. This approach aims to minimize post-harvest losses and contribute to a more sustainable food supply chain.
Swachha Eco-solutions: Swachha Ecosolutions repurposes plastic waste into granules, used for in-house products or sold to vendors. Established in 2008 as Indus Waste Management, the company provides waste management consulting and recycling services for all sectors.
Environment in News
Supreme Court Recognizes Right Against Climate Change.
The Supreme Court of India has established that individuals have a fundamental right to be protected from the adverse effects of climate change. This right is linked to the existing rights to life and equality. The court emphasized the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations and the urgent need for India to transition to renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. While acknowledging the lack of specific climate change legislation, the court affirmed that citizens possess this crucial right. Read more.
PFAS chemicals used in lithium-ion batteries are a growing environmental concern.
A new study has found high levels of a specific type of PFAS (bis-FASI) near battery manufacturing plants and in remote areas. These chemicals are toxic to living organisms and persist in the environment. As the demand for lithium-ion batteries increases, so too does the risk of PFAS pollution. The study emphasizes the need for stricter regulations and improved recycling practices to mitigate this threat. Read more.
A few insights from our CEO
We are pleased to have conducted the Climate Career Conclave with ASAR on June 28, 29, and July 6. Read about the entire program on my Medium page.
Recent Activities in Sustera
SUSTERA Foundation organized the "#RootingForResilience Training on Careers in Climate Action & Sustainability" in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, on May 24, 2024 and on May 26, 2024 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. This half-day event provided attendees with insights into diverse climate-related careers, essential skills for the sector, and access to free resources on climate change and sustainability. Young climate enthusiasts aged 16-35 actively participated in this enriching event. Participants explored diverse climate-related careers, gained an understanding of essential skills for the sector, and received access to free resources on climate change and sustainability.
2. The Climate Career Conclave was organized by the Sustera Foundation and ASAR in collaboration with the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Advanced Center for Atmospheric Radar Research, Climate Educator’s Network, KSDMA, and Kraftwork Solar Pvt Ltd. The event took place at the School of Marine Sciences, CUSAT, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, and the Department of Environmental Science campus, University of Kerala. It was a transformative three-day event designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills required to pursue rewarding careers in climate change and sustainability. The sessions covered ESG (Environment, Social & Governance), Circular Economy jobs, environmental education, Climate/Social Enterprises, Climate Tech, Environment Law & Policy, UN Jobs, Disaster Management, Climate Risk Assessment and Climate Modelling, Energy Sector Jobs, and Sustainable Mobility.
Speakers to follow from the Climate Career Conclave
 | Sunil KSAVP & Head @ ICRA ESG | GARP SCR | Sustainability | ESG | Climat… |
 | Sarath KumarCircular Economy | Climate change & resilience | Development |
 | Swapna VincentSocial Impact | Livelihoods | Implementation |
Dr. Midhila MallikaState Project Officer - KSDMA - Government of Kerala |
 | Hari Subbish Kumar SubramanianCo-Founder at Brineys | Energy Transition Researcher | TUe Susta… |
 | Fahad MarzookHazard Analyst | Specializing in Heat Mitigation, Lightning Risk… |
 | Shree KrishnanMum | Sustainability & Climate Change Professional | Social Deve… |
 | Neha KurianLaw and Governance- Environment, Climate Change and Waste Manage… |
 | Sachin SathyarajanInternational Law and Public Policy |
As we conclude this edition of our newsletter, we at SUSTERA Foundation want to thank you, our valued readers, for your unwavering support and dedication to the cause of climate action. Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives from the SUSTERA Foundation as we continue to champion the cause of climate action.
Thank you for being part of this movement towards a sustainable tomorrow. :)
Attended National University,Gazipur
3moI'll keep this in mind