From 4th to 9th November, Green Careers Week 2024 will shine a spotlight on the growing opportunities for young people to pursue careers that contribute to preserving and restoring the environment. This exciting initiative aims to raise aspirations, promote diversity, challenge stereotypes, and provide real insights into the wide-ranging opportunities available in green careers. The concept of a green career goes beyond traditional environmental roles; it encompasses any job or industry that supports the transition to a more sustainable future, whether in construction, technology, or finance. The essential ingredient for these roles is a commitment to sustainability.
Green skills – the abilities, attributes, values, knowledge, and technical expertise needed to tackle climate change – are becoming essential across industries. These skills enable professionals to adapt processes and procedures, making them more environmentally friendly, and they play a key role in ensuring that all sectors of the economy contribute to mitigating climate change.
As the leading authority on building services engineering, CIBSE is at the forefront of driving green skills in the built environment. One of our most significant recent initiatives is the introduction of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS). Launched in collaboration with eight other leading organisations, this free-to-access technical standard enables the construction industry to demonstrate that built assets align with the UK’s carbon and energy budgets.
The UKNZCBS is a vital resource for anyone involved in funding, procuring, designing, or specifying net zero carbon buildings. It provides a clear and robust framework that supports industry professionals in achieving truly sustainable building practices. By establishing clear criteria for net zero carbon buildings, the Standard not only empowers the construction sector to meet its sustainability goals but also helps policymakers understand what is required to meet the UK’s net zero carbon transition targets.
As we celebrate Green Careers Week, it’s an ideal time to highlight the pivotal role that building services engineering plays in advancing sustainability. By nurturing the next generation of engineers equipped with green skills, CIBSE is contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
Join us in celebrating this important week, as we continue to inspire young professionals to pursue careers that make a lasting difference for the environment and society.