The Economy and the Employment are Going “Green”
2 November 2017The Green Economy is a development model that, considering economic, social and environmental factors, aims to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment based on parameters of fairness, livability and viability of productive processes in order to achieve their sustainability. Among the main objectives are energy saving, environmental impact reduction, waste reduction in production processes, reduction of CO2 emissions, recycling, fairness in economic and production processes. A movement, that of the Green Economy, which conquers companies, markets and consumers.
According to a study conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), bringing the world’s share of renewables from 20% in 2017 to 36% in 2030, the GDP would grow from 0.6% to 1.1 %, amounting to between 700 and 1,300 billion dollars. By pushing us to even more encouraging percentages, or a 100% green planet by 2050, we find the Greenpeace report “Revolution 2015-100% renewable energy.” According to the world renowned environmental association, this scenario is not only possible but economically advantageous, since the investments needed to reach the target would be more than repaid by the estimated 1070 billion a year of savings, resulting from fossil fuel abandonment.
In addition, the increase in revenue linked to the Green Economy represents a major push for employment, which today gives work to 7.7 million people worldwide, an ever-increasing number. For example, in the United States, photovoltaic workers have surpassed those of the oil and gas sector already in 2013, as evidenced by the research conducted by Solar Foundation, a non-profit research and education institution in the field of solar energy. Employment in the photovoltaic industry has almost tripled since the first national census in 2010 and to date in the US, workers in this field are 260,000.
Even in Italy, the results that emerge from various sector studies are more than encouraging. The study Greenitaly 2017. A response to the crisis, a challenge for the future, drawn up and published by the Symbola Foundation and Unioncamere, highlighted a substantial growth in Italian companies that invested in green products and technologies. In fact, between 2011 and 2016, the companies concerned were about 355,000, of whom 27.1% operating in extra-agricultural areas. Looking exclusively at industry in the strict sense, the percentage of green businesses rises to a good 33.7%.
It is not just about investments in renewable energy, the choice of installing photovoltaic panels, or converting to organic food production, but a more substantial commitment is taking over. The 27% of Italian businesses will invest this year on research and development, pursuing that way the green innovation, a theme that can represent a significant added value in terms of competitiveness. Enterprises investing in the Green Economy are also stronger in exports, with an 18.7% versus 10.9% of the non-investing firms. In the manufacturing sector, the gap is even greater, with a 46% vs. 27.7%. Green businesses also boast greater digital skills and an 82% presence on the web.
Parallel to the growth of the eco-friendly market and business investments, is the increase in demand for skilled professionals in green subjects. Not only in the traditional agriculture sector, but also in construction, transport, training and advanced services to businesses and public utilities. It is estimated that in Italy, the recruitments for green profiles envisaged by businesses in 2017 will be around 320,000 units. Taking into account all the recruitments that involve green skills, there results an even more important number: about 1,183,000 professional profiles.
The data, in short, show that the future is green. What could once have earned the title of foresight, passion or environmental activism, is today one of the most important and interesting professional outlets. It is not just about betting on the future for a collective well-being, but also on the present, creating economic and development benefits for the businesses and communities.
Listing all the so-called “green jobs” is almost impossible, as it involves the most diverse sectors and professions. Some duties imply important managerial responsibilities, while others require specific technical skills. However, they all assume a robust investment in training. Bologna Business School offers a path for young graduates who want to address these changes as protagonists: The Green Management and Sustainable Businesses track of the Full-Time Business Management Master’s Course. The Master is aimed at the training of young managers who can guide businesses in the design of new business models supported by a resource-conscious use.
In addition, Bologna Business School also offers an international path in English language. The Global MBA in Green Energy and Sustainable Businesses addresses young managers who see the challenges of climate change as the basis for building the future of businesses.
