Research highlights urgent need for skilled workforce to achieve net zero

This comes as a new report from SaveMoneyCutCarbon, highlights the central importance of sustainability to staff satisfaction and retention with nearly one in five (19%) UK employees now actively refusing to apply to join companies that are not truly sustainable.

The new national studies have reflected the growing importance of climate change to our modern-day workforce and outline actionable ways for companies, business leaders, and decision-makers to redirect focusses to ensure collective commitment to climate action. 

Prospects findings show that more than a third of workers reported that specialist tasks are now assigned to untrained staff due to the reduction in expertise, as SaveMoneyCutCarbon's study demonstrates insufficient funding with only 18% of UK employees saying that sustainability is central to training processes at their place of work.

Additionally, the trade union found that 37% of respondents identified government policy as the main obstacle to achieving net-zero emissions with economic factors, reluctance to change, and limited resources also cited as barriers. The stats correspond with that of the sustainability consultants data which show that over 7.3m business owners say the survival of their business is now under threat due to a lack of government support. 

Key stats:

• 38% (20 million) are more likely to trust a business if they know it is taking action against climate change
• 19% (9.9 million) of UK employees would never apply for a job with a company that doesn’t prioritise sustainability
• 14% (7.3 million) say that the survival of their place of work is now under threat due to a lack of government support for businesses and their energy bills
• 18% (9.4 million) say that sustainability is now central to training processes at their place of work
• 22% (11.7 million) will only support businesses that put sustainability at the forefront of their operation

SaveMoneyCutCarbon's report also revealed that 14% of UK employees, totalling 7.5 million workers, have taken sustainability matters into their own hands due to the perceived lack of action from their employers. These employees feel that their workplaces do not adequately address the wider issue of sustainability, prompting them to personally initiate sustainable practices within their work environments to make up for lost action. This significant number of employees taking action highlights the desire for meaningful change and the need for businesses to proactively embrace sustainability measures in order to increase employee engagement to meet net-zero goals. 

To this end, the sustainability platforms offer a comprehensive six-stage plan to help businesses meet their net zero goals. So far, they have delivererd over 1000 projects to businesses across the UK, in turn saving 32 million kilowatt hours of energy, 772 million litres of water and 24 million tonnes of carbon reduction.

The steps for such an approach include:

• Carbon Mentor call - a business will be assigned a dedicated Carbon Mentor to understand the present situation within a business and their decarbonisation ambitions
• Baseline report - from the call, SMCC's platform creates an easy-to-understand Scope 1, Scope 2 baseline carbon footprint and guidance on Scope 3 and Scope 4 (staff carbon literacy)
• Built Environment Audit - SMCC’s team then audit the building(s) to identify the money, energy, water, and carbon savings available
• Creation of investment-grade proposals and tailored finance 
• Design, supply and installation of proven products and solutions
• Staff Engagement - SMCC’s EcoWise app and programme provides measured and rewarded learning improving carbon literacy

"The Prospect survey echoes our own national study's insights, emphasising the urgency of cultivating a skilled and motivated workforce to realize our net-zero ambitions," said Mark Sait, the CEO and founder of SaveMoneyCutCarbon. 

"As the frontiers of the climate emergency close in, it’s no surprise that for the population at large, awareness is stiffening into action. Working at a company without a meaningful plan to reduce its environmental impact is simply a no-go for many job seekers. For employees, frustration at their own organisation’s lack of development is leading to a new phenomenon: climate quitting.

"Employers must understand the generations who are increasingly turning away from roles who do not prioritise ESG goals, but further to continue to drive progress on the challenges that matter most to them. This will not only help boost productivity and retain talent—it will ultimately build trust and value for business in society more broadly.

"Our young generation of workers are looking for employers that can help empower them to make a difference. Organisations that actively listen and help address their needs and concerns will improve business resiliency and implement actionable change in our world.

"Climate quitting then is a natural symptom of the wider problem. In order to guard against this phenomenon effectively, businesses can’t knock back a few painkillers - they need to treat the root cause," Sait concluded. 

www.savemoneycutcarbon.com