By Ali Cambray & Sarah Hollingsworth
PwC Channel Islands has recently launched the Green Jobs Barometer; a new survey which tracks the impact of the green transition across the Islands and examines how fast the move to a greener economy compares to the rest of the UK.
The Barometer covers five pillars: green jobs creation, wider benefits from green jobs, sunset jobs and jobs created, carbon intensity of jobs and green workplaces. Insights from these various pillars are pulled together from the survey into a composite index score out of 100 and overall the scores reveal Jersey at (45/100) and Guernsey at (39/100), broadly in line with the UK which scored (45/100), although London is ahead of the Channel Islands with a score of (60/100).
Both Jersey and Guernsey have made commitments to net zero gas emissions and it is clear from the Barometer that the green transition is already gathering pace and starting to reshape our economy.
In analysis of jobs producing green products or environmentally friendly services, the Barometer estimates the number of green jobs to be created in Jersey and Guernsey between now and 2030, and then any loss expected of existing posts. While the potential for job creation from the green transition in the Channel Islands is greater than the posts that could be lost, we need to move early to support workers whose jobs are at risk as part of a ‘fair transition’.
It will therefore be an important priority to identify the jobs most at risk early and move quickly to put upskilling, reskilling and career guidance programmes in place to help people move into new work. Without this proactiveness, we risk a rise in unemployment and inequality.
As part of the report, more than 1,000 Channel Island workers were asked for their views on the transition to a green economy and how they believe it will affect them. Among the highlights from this survey are:
- Only a third of respondents feel that their employers provide training and education in relation to green practices in the workplace.
- 34% expect their role to adapt or change as a result of the transition to net zero.
- Offices in the Channel Islands scored only 5.7/10 for environmentally friendly practices, lower than in London.
The report also illustrates the important role for Government who can make a difference in a number of ways, including by fostering a business environment that supports green sectors and job creation, promoting greener ways of working and commuting, whilst driving skills initiatives to develop the capabilities of both the existing and future workforce.
The clear takeaway from the Barometer is that the Channel Islands need to move further and faster to make the most of the opportunities and manage the risks of the green transition. For business the time to move is now.
When you consider that London, another knowledge based financial hub, has a higher score, it is clear that further progress could be made in the islands. Nevertheless, the analysis overall shows it to be a good news story for us locally, with clear evidence that the transition is underway.
The full report with all the findings can be accessed here.
“Most employees don’t think their employers are doing enough to prepare for the green transition - we need businesses to start preparing now.”
“Our analysis indicates that the pace of change needs to increase and more will need to be done if we are to meet the target that has been set.”
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