The Chartered Institute of Building has signed up for a campaign highlighting the lack of green-skilled workers in industries like construction.
#GreenSkillsAtCop calls for green skills to be integrated into national action plans for biodiversity and climate change.
The campaign was initiated by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.
It has been launched ahead of November’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, which CIOB will attend.
Amanda Williams, head of environmental sustainability at CIOB, said: “Addressing the significant green skills gap will be essential in creating a more sustainable built environment.
“By joining the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign, we hope to encourage the government to give proper focus to the issues the industry is facing and to put measures in place to address the deficit.”
Skills essential to the UK
CIOB estimates around 500,000 additional workers in skilled trades are required in the UK alone to bring the national housing stock up to a minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC C by 2030.
The institute has called for a green construction skills fund to be introduced to pay for training in retrofit, heat pump installation, sustainable MMC and specialist roles to fulfil the requirements of biodiversity net gain legislation.
Skills England, the newly formed body created to address skills shortages and economic growth, said in a recent report that green-skilled workers would be vital in delivering the country’s net-zero targets.
Williams added: “CIOB will continue to work closely with Skills England to understand the links between crucial industries, particularly construction, and the future emphasis of a workforce with skills for the climate transition.
“We must ensure the built environment is at the front and centre of the discussion so global leaders recognise the importance of engagement with our industry.”
