'Green' occupations flourish: the explosion of sustainability studies

Sustainability has become an increasingly sought-after skill in the job market. This is according to a study conducted by the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) in collaboration with PIMEC, which reveals how, in recent years, the demand for professionals in Catalonia linked to green professions has steadily increased. According to the report, based on 1.7 million job postings published between 2018 and 2023, green occupations have increased by 17% and now represent 7.5% of total job vacancies.

The study, part of the Catalan Skills and Occupations Barometer, also indicates that 5.3% of job postings published during the last year analyzed already required green skills. These include aspects such as knowledge of environmental legislation, corporate social responsibility, and energy efficiency, as well as skills related to sustainable resource management, environmental impact assessment, the circular economy, and the development of more efficient energy projects.

This trend has gradually been reflected in the academic offerings of Catalan universities. In recent years, more and more institutions have incorporated degrees and programs specializing in sustainability, the environment, and the energy transition. All of this with one objective: to train new professionals capable of tackling challenges such as climate change, sustainable resource management, and the decarbonization of the economy.

Sustainability in the classroom

Regarding why sustainability has gained such prominence in educational programs, universities point to a combination of factors. "On the one hand, we've seen advances in environmental regulations that increasingly require companies to develop socio-environmental indicators and reports," notes Joan Torrent, Professor of Economics and Business Studies at the UOC. "On the other hand, we've also experienced a growing social awareness of climate change and its economic and social repercussions," he adds. Furthermore, according to the expert, this is compounded by a shift in perspective on the role of business within society: the idea that organizations should not only seek short-term economic results but also consider their social and environmental impact has become increasingly widespread.

All of this has led to the emergence of new university degrees specifically geared towards these challenges. Examples include the online degree in Sustainability Management, Digital Transformation and the Environment at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC); the degree in Geography, Territorial Analysis and Sustainability at the Rovira i Virgili University (URV); and more specialized programs such as the degree in Energy Engineering and Sustainability at the Higher Polytechnic School of the University of Lleida (UdL).

The UOC's program is the most recent, welcoming its first students in September of last year. "Our goal is to train professionals with the adaptability needed to cope with constant changes that force us to rethink organizational management in light of the green and digital transitions," explains Hug March, coordinator of the degree program and professor of Economics and Business Studies at the university. "Given such an accelerated socio-environmental and technological context, we need professionals with a critical and interdisciplinary perspective, with a broad vision of the intersection between economics and the environment," he concludes. At other universities, sustainability is approached from a more territorial perspective. This is the case with the URV's degree in Geography, Territorial Analysis, and Sustainability, which trains professionals capable of analyzing territorial dynamics and proposing solutions to environmental and social challenges. "We must be aware that many of the natural resources that underpin our development model are non-renewable and that the territory has a limited capacity to accommodate settlements, activities and infrastructure, as well as to absorb the waste generated by human activity," analyzes Òscar Saladié, dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Geography at Rovira i Virgili University.

Thus, students in this degree program acquire the skills to analyze the complex relationships between society and the environment, diagnose territorial problems, and propose solutions geared towards sustainability. The training also includes the use of spatial analysis tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the application of quantitative and qualitative methods to interpret data and develop proposals that support decision-making in areas such as mobility, urban planning, and climate change adaptation.

Talent, too, for the energy transition

There are even more specialized degrees focused on the energy sector. One example is the Energy and Sustainability Engineering degree at the Polytechnic School of the University of Lleida (UdL), which trains professionals capable of designing and managing more efficient energy systems at a time when the transition to models less dependent on fossil fuels has become one of the major global challenges.

"Population growth and economic development have increased energy needs worldwide, but the current model, based primarily on fossil fuels, is unsustainable both because these resources are finite and because of their environmental impact," explains Eduard Gregorio López, the degree program coordinator. To find a balance between energy needs and environmental preservation, he believes it is essential to train professionals capable of driving the transition to a more sustainable energy model. "Energy and sustainability engineers will not only be fundamental to achieving this balance, but they are also called upon to make a decisive contribution to finding solutions to the challenges facing the sector," he adds.

Specifically, students in this degree program are trained to design and manage more efficient and sustainable energy systems. The four-year curriculum combines a foundation in industrial engineering with specialized courses on renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrical systems, and environmental impact, and is complemented by internships in companies within the sector. The goal is to train engineers with a comprehensive understanding of energy, capable of both developing technological solutions and advising government agencies and businesses on the transition to more sustainable energy models.