Careers in Sustainability

As the world increasingly prioritizes sustainability, there is a growing demand for professionals who possess sustainability knowledge and skills.

$23 trillion global climate job opportunities will be created between now and 2030 according to the projections of IFC, the branch of the World Bank group focused on the private sector in developing countries. Out of these, $2.3 trillion job opportunities in climate resilient infrastructure will be created in India and Bangladesh alone. Additionally, there is also a potential to create 3 million renewable energy jobs by 2030 in India. Yet, 1,20,000 people globally, and about less than 5,000 people in India, are formally trained to adequately cater to the burgeoning climate industry.

Ever growing-demand for professionals

There is an ever-growing demand for professionals like environmental engineers, green building professionals, smart city planners, landscapers, energy managers, solar installers, appliance technicians, recycling operatives, water engineers, agriculture and food scientists, and policymakers on environment and ecosystem management. There are also job opportunities in areas of sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy finance, energy efficiency, and sustainable fashion.

The need for software development and data science and analytics useful for climate action is also growing. Insurance companies require sustainability professionals to evaluate the risk of extreme climate events on business and infrastructure. The job positions can range from sustainability associate to sustainability director, depending on the qualifications and experience. The role of a sustainability director/lead is the most important position in the industry, as they envision ways to make their company more environmentally friendly and work with their team to actualize goals.

Sustainability courses provide a system thinking mindset

The demand for sustainability professionals is growing significantly as societies and organizations worldwide recognize the urgent need to address environmental and social challenges. Continuous learning and staying updated on emerging trends and best practices will be crucial for professionals in this field. Having an appropriate degree in sustainability or a related field can enhance career prospects and open up job opportunities in various sectors such as renewable energy, environmental consulting, sustainable design, corporate sustainability, and sustainable development, with lucrative pay packages.

Pursuing a course in sustainability provides students knowledge and skills for tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and social inequality. Sustainability aims to strike a balance between the needs of people, the planet, and prosperity, taking into account the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. Sustainability courses foster a system thinking mindset, which is crucial for understanding the complex interactions between human activities and the environment.

Anant School for Climate Action, India's first Climate School

Anant School for Climate Action, India's first Climate school, opened in 2022 and is part of Anant National University in Ahmedabad. The institution offers programmes centered on sustainability at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including a unique B.Tech. specialising in climate change. The B. Tech in climate change is currently the only 4-year engineering degree program in India that allows students to specialize in developing innovative climate technologies for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Throughout the program, students learn to use engineering tools and design thinking principles through practical application-oriented learning at the different lab facilities, as well as through collaborations with industries and government research laboratories. In the final year, students specialize in either climate technologies for business or for policy, or they can choose a deeper specialization in climate technology itself.

The B.Tech specializing in climate change also features international immersion courses supported by MIT Solv[ED] and Sustain lab Paris as well as internship opportunities at various international institutions like Villars Institute Switzerland and Commonwealth Climate Office, London. The final semester is a mandatory industry immersion where students are placed within the climate industry, co-guided by industry professionals and an academic mentor.