Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan: fairer Scotland duty assessment

Creation of green jobs

A key strategy outcome is the creation of new green jobs and economic opportunities to supporting thriving communities. Evidence suggests that poorer skills attainment associated with socio-economic disadvantage may influence people’s ability to gain secure and well-paid employment. These groups of people may be more likely to miss out on job opportunities created through the actions needed to deliver the ambition set out in the biodiversity strategy.^[4]

Often this can be attributed to circumstances – those living in poverty are more likely to have caring responsibilities, be one parent households or have limited or no access to a car. People from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to have access to networks and opportunities for placement experience to boost chances in jobs markets compared to those from higher incomes.

The report 'Green Jobs in Scotland: An inclusive approach to definition, measurement and analysis' (2022)^[5] found that green jobs are better paid, with median advertised wages higher than those of non-green jobs.

Professional and skilled trades occupations make up the highest proportion of green jobs, with new and emerging green jobs dominated by engineering occupations. Based on the size of its labour market, Scotland has the highest concentration of green jobs in the UK. In 2022, 3.3% of all job adverts in Scotland were for jobs that have a positive impact on the environment, up from 1.7% in 2021. This helped Scotland retain first place among 12 nations and regions of the UK in the Green Jobs Barometer developed by the consultancy PWC.

Evidence suggests that those in the agriculture sector have concerns that the net-zero transition will see people lose their livelihoods and fundamentally change their way of life. Compared with other sectors, relatively low proportions of those working in agriculture have formal qualifications or engage in regular Continuing Professional Development and there will be a need to work with farmers and land managers in order to develop new skills.^[6]