As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for sustainability, we are witnessing a green revolution. We are now moving towards a sustainable future and all aspects of life will be affected, including technology.

As we transition towards a greener technology, the role of green skills has become increasingly crucial in the future of IT work, and the demand is higher than ever. To stay ahead of the game, you’ll need to learn how to adapt to new challenges and acquire new skills.

What Are Green Skills?

Green skills encompass a range of knowledge, abilities, and competencies that enable professionals to understand and develop environmentally sustainable solutions and an eco-friendly society and industry.

But, most significantly, green skills are not just about being aware of the environment; they also involve understanding how technology can be used to improve our lives while protecting the planet.

Green IT is the New IT

With the escalating environmental crisis, governments, businesses, and organisations are recognizing the need to integrate sustainable practices into their operations. From renewable energy to waste management and sustainable agriculture to green construction, numerous industries are seeking individuals with the expertise to drive their sustainability agendas. The IT sector is no exception.

For businesses wanting to become greener, the implementation of Green Tech – a type of technology considered eco-friendly and sustainable– and the adoption of Green IT practices are essential to make IT companies much more sustainable. These are just some of the practices you should adopt to build an ecological future:

Sustainable Infrastructure

The IT sector is responsible for significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In turn, green-skilled IT professionals can design, implement, and manage sustainable IT infrastructure. They can optimise data centers for energy efficiency, implement virtualization and use cloud computing instead of on-site storage. It’s also important to adopt green practices in hardware, such as replacing older hardware with new more energy-efficient hardware.

Renewable Energy Integration

As renewable energy becomes more prevalent, IT professionals with green skills play a vital role in integrating clean energy solutions. They can develop and implement systems that optimise energy usage and incorporate renewable energy sources into IT infrastructure.

Green-skilled IT workers can design smart grids, manage energy storage systems, and develop energy management software to maximize the use of renewable energy in IT operations.

Sustainable Software Development

Green skills in IT extend to software development practices as well, allowing to reduce the environmental impact of IT solutions. Professionals with expertise in green software development can create applications and systems that are energy-efficient, minimize resource consumption, and promote sustainable practices. They can optimise code, design energy-aware algorithms, and develop software that encourages users to adopt eco-friendly behaviours.

Data Analytics for Sustainability

Big data and analytics play a crucial role in addressing sustainability challenges. Green-skilled IT professionals can leverage data analytics tools to identify patterns, trends, and inefficiencies in energy consumption, waste management, and resource usage. By analysing large datasets, they can provide valuable insights to drive informed decision-making, optimise processes, and develop sustainable strategies.

The Benefits of Green Skills in the Workforce

According to LinkedIn’s 2022 Global Green Skills Report, in 2019, green workers were hired at a faster rate than non-green workers, showing that companies are focusing on building sustainable workforces.

What’s the main reason? Green skills can bring several benefits to the workforce. Here are some of them:

• Job Creation: Green skills provide individuals with the knowledge and expertise to work in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and circular economy.
• Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings: Green-skilled workers are trained to identify energy inefficiencies, reduce waste, and implement sustainable strategies, which can help businesses streamline processes, reduce resource consumption, and save money in the long run.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Green skills equip individuals with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions. As climate change impacts various industries, professionals with green skills can assess risks, develop adaptation strategies, and contribute to building resilient communities.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Green skills empower individuals to develop sustainable solutions, create environmentally friendly products and services, and build green businesses. With the rise of the circular economy and renewable technologies, professionals with green skills are at the forefront of innovation.
• Social and Environmental Responsibility: The expertise of green-skilled professionals allows them to consider the social and environmental implications of business decisions, ensuring that organisations operate in a sustainable and ethical manner.

Developing Green Skills for the Future: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Workforce

The transition to green is all about the adoption of a new culture, a new way of working, and new processes. Not to forget new technology. To meet the demands of the green landscape, it is crucial to invest in the development of green skills through education, training, and professional development.

Organisations should foster a culture of sustainability within their IT departments. They can provide training opportunities for existing IT staff, promote awareness of green practices, and encourage innovation in sustainable IT solutions.

Top in-demand Green Skills

As we know so far, green skills are becoming increasingly significant due to the growing interest in clean technologies. Looking again at LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report, we can see the top 5 in-demand skills in 2021:

1. Sustainability (27.6%)

2. Remediation (8.8%)

3. Occupational Safety and Health Advisor (8.6%)

4. Climate (5.6%)

5. Renewable Energy (5.4%)

With no surprises, sustainability is the number one in-demand green skill for employers, and its demand will only continue to grow. From now on, sustainability should be considered as a transversal skill in different areas of activity, especially in IT. Every IT professional should incorporate this skill in order to stay ahead of the curve and grow professionally, contributing for a better future.

At PrimeIT Consulting, we are compromised with building a sustainable and greener future. Are you looking for an IT partner? Talk to us!