Empowering tomorrow: Essential skills for climate action in a changing world

As our planet faces the significant impacts of climate change, there is a growing need for collective action. Young people are increasingly concerned about climate change and its potential impacts on their future and are actively engaged in climate activism, advocating for change, and developing innovative solutions.

According to the World Economic Forum's "The Future of Jobs Report 2025" report, approximately 40% of employers expect climate-change mitigation and adaptation to transform their business in the next five years. This shift is driving demand for positions such as renewable energy engineers, environmental engineers and electric and autonomous vehicle specialists, which are now among the 15 fastest-growing jobs. Additionally, environmental stewardship, has entered the report's list of top 10 rapidly growing skills for the first time.¹

Recognizing the necessity of empowering the next generation of professionals, the Leaders 2050 team in Regions East hosted an event titled, "NextGen Climate Professionals - Skills for a Sustainable Tomorrow" aimed to inspire and educate young professionals eager to make a significant impact in this field. Participants enhanced their understanding of climate-related issues, learned about essential skills to thrive in sustainability-focused careers, and networked with industry experts.

The event featured insights from four speakers with diverse experiences across various sectors.

Industry speakers included Faizan Ahmed, a sustainability leader recognized as one of Corporate Knights' Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders, and Areej Riaz, a climate change expert with extensive experience in research, program development, and community engagement. KPMG speakers Kris Mennill and Patrick MacKinnon, contributed their expertise in environmental assurance and greenhouse gas regulations. Kris supports clients across various sectors, leveraging his knowledge of clean fuels regulations and GHG compliance and verification, while Patrick utilizes his background in chemical engineering to help organizations quantify emissions and develop decarbonization strategies.

Key insights from discussions with speakers and participants focused on three themes vital for young professionals embarking on careers in climate change: essential skills, navigating career pivots, and the path forward.

• Communication skills: Effective communication is crucial for expressing ideas, fostering collaboration, and building stakeholders relationships, vital for gaining senior management for implementing sustainability solutions. Building trust and credibility—elements essential in the field of climate change—depends heavily on an individual's ability to communicate clearly.

• Collaboration in a diverse workforce: Organizations today often comprise individuals from various cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds. For young professionals, this means understanding and being able to navigate different perspectives and experiences within the workplace. Tailoring engagement strategies to resonate with specific cultural contexts enhances the chances of adopting sustainable practices.

• Engagement in Grassroots initiatives: Understanding the connections between social justice, economic inequality, and environmental sustainability is critical when engaging with different community groups. Understanding cultural narratives and the extent to which they play significant roles in empowering communities to take ownership of climate action initiatives can offer practical experience and a better understanding of community needs.

Transitioning into sustainability can occur through varied educational and career paths. Young professionals can leverage existing skills different domains as Sustainability cuts across various functions within organizations. Marketing professionals, play a crucial role in effectively communicating an organization's sustainability efforts, while supply chain experts may evaluate the sustainability of suppliers and materials, promoting ethical sourcing, and minimizing environmental impacts throughout the supply chain. Data analysts are often responsible for tracking, analyzing, and reporting sustainability metrics allowing organizations to make evidence-based decisions, and human resources, may facilitate the integration of sustainability into corporate culture. The intersection of these diverse skill sets is crucial for achieving a holistic approach to sustainability.

During the event, it was noted that young professionals transitioning from traditional fields like finance and accounting can also apply their expertise to sustainability. Their comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, combined with an awareness of the broader sustainability implications on business operations and strategy, can assist with assessing how companies measure and report their environmental impacts, developing strong governance and reporting practices and exploring various options for funding sustainability initiatives. For instance, they might work on greenhouse gas verifications and environmental, social, and governance assurance projects. In these capacities, their accounting knowledge allows them to evaluate and verify the sustainability practices of organizations ensuring adherence to established standards. Such career paths illustrate how professionals can effectively support corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship by applying their prior experience to help organizations navigate the complexities of the sustainability landscape.

• Rising Opportunities in GHG Emissions Management: As organizations increasingly recognize their environmental responsibilities, opportunities in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management are increasing. Professionals skilled in data analysis, environmental science, and sustainability will be in high demand to assist companies in establishing accurate baseline emissions.

• Importance of Decarbonization Plans: Decarbonization plans have emerged as essential frameworks for companies looking to reduce GHG emissions effectively. These strategic frameworks outline actions to transition to renewable energy sources, boost energy efficiency, and implement sustainable practices throughout operations. Organizations need sustainability consultants and project managers to guide them in developing action plans that navigate them through these critical transitions.

• The Intersection of Finance and Sustainability: The growing demand for GHG assurance and verification services necessitates expertise in both finance and sustainability including an understanding of GHG accounting principles and regulatory frameworks. This intersection of finance and sustainability offers significant career development opportunities.

This event demonstrated that achieving a sustainable future requires a multi-faceted approach. Young professionals are not mere participants in this journey; they are vital contributors who can significantly influence sustainability efforts. By combining their existing skills and knowledge with creativity and intention, young professionals can cultivate meaningful careers that drive impactful change in the sustainability sector.