Report launch: Making green jobs accessible

The research forms part of our Everyone’s Environment programme and is delivered in partnership with Groundwork, with funding from the EY Foundation.

The UK is investing heavily in the transition to a greener economy. But there’s a growing risk at its core: the people these jobs are meant for don’t always see them as jobs for them.

Research with young people, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, shows a clear disconnect. The term ‘green jobs’ is often unclear, sometimes unappealing, and rarely how young people search for or think about their futures. Instead, they’re focused on something more immediate and universal: secure, well-paid work with clear pathways and progression.

So how do we bridge that gap?

This event brings together employers, policymakers, educators, and young people to explore how we make opportunities in the green economy visible, relevant, and genuinely accessible.

We’ll explore:

• Why leading with ‘green’ can miss the mark – and what to do instead
• How young people actually understand and navigate career choices
• What practical steps employers can take to widen access now
• How government can provide clearer direction and leadership
• Why broadening our definition of ‘green jobs’ matters for inclusion

Grounded in new research and lived experience, this discussion will move beyond insight to action, focusing on what needs to change in how we communicate, design pathways, and support young people into work. Because if the transition to net zero is to succeed, it must also be a transition that works for everyone.

We are actively working to improve the accessibility of our online and in-person events. As part of our commitment, for all online events we use live closed captions and upload the recordings to YouTube which has the capability to select subtitles. For in-person events we strive to use accessible venues.