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EVERY JOB IS A CLIMATE JOB

83% of people want to take action on climate change in their jobs

Climate literacy is crucial for corporate transformation. In a world where the detrimental effects of climate change are at a decisive tipping point, more and more people are seeking jobs or changes in the workplace to address the climate emergency urgently. Globally, organisations need to understand the significant level of change that employees are demanding in order to protect their company’s position, its people and the planet.

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Employees want jobs that combat climate change

Globally, organisations that understand the significant level of change that employees are demanding will help protect their company’s position, its people and the planet. 

Our report, Every job is a climate job, found that 15% (up 10% from 2020) of respondents admitted they had considered changing jobs to work more closely on climate-related issues. The research shows that companies are increasingly recognising their responsibility towards sustainability and climate change action as one element of employee retention. 

Individuals want to take the initiative to help their companies decarbonise and businesses worldwide must provide climate change resources and education to build a zero-carbon army of ready and willing employees.

“Almost two-thirds of employees can’t explain their companies’ climate commitments.”

 

Businesses need to take climate action

Our research finds that 77% of employees across the world are uninformed or unconfident about their knowledge of the climate, with 29% of employees saying that the business where they work is not taking enough action on climate change. Almost two-thirds of employees can’t explain their companies’ climate commitments but link their ability to take climate action to job satisfaction. Businesses that demonstrate their climate commitments and develop a strategy involving corporate action to combat resignation, can maintain employee motivation and wellbeing.

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Opportunity to transform businesses and economies

Financial incentives for businesses to act on climate are well explored. Many employees recognise this opportunity too: 53% of employees say that innovating for positive action on climate change presents a significant financial opportunity for their organisation. Failing to harness the motivation of employees to act may slow the green transformation of industries and the ability of individual companies to succeed in a decarbonised economy.

Key findings from the report

Our in-depth research reached over 7,000 respondents (aged 18-65) from countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia (including UK, US, Brazil and India), across 15 major industries, to assess employee knowledge of climate change and its impact on economies and society. The survey also gauged their willingness to take climate action at work, and their ability to do so today. The report covers:

1. The importance of climate change and leading corporate transformation

People seek out jobs that combat climate change. Being at the forefront of companies who work towards this makes you a more desirable employer. 

2. Benefits of climate change education for employees

People will find job satisfaction in knowing they’ve worked towards something greater than themselves.

3. Workplace methodology to start climate action education

Begin your company’s journey to sustainability with the toolkit and methodology provided in our Every Job is a Climate Job report.

Bridging the gap between intent and action

Sophie-Lambin

“As the climate crisis deepens, employee engagement will be one of the main indicators and predictors of business performance and resilience.”

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“The Climate Action Readiness Assessment (CARA) gave us a much deeper understanding of our employee base. It’s helped us appreciate where our employees are at and what must be done next to unlock potential and drive progress in their learning.”

Eve Joseph, Sustainability Customer Lead, Microsoft

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“By helping us to better understand our employees’ readiness, the CARA provides a basis for deeper internal engagement to support Schneider Electric’s climate commitments. With employees motivated and ready to act, we can accelerate our ambition and our journey as an impact company and meet the challenge of the climate crisis.”

Xavier Denoly, SVP Sustainable Development at Schneider Electric

Research led by the experts

Kite Insights has been working on upskilling the workforce for the green transformation since 2012, helping businesses incorporate social impact and responsibility into their strategies and amplify their voices in a greener economy.

Research and strategic communication are at the heart of what we do: data research, deep insights and data polling. Guided by expertise from some of the world’s best scientists and practitioners from the Sustainable Finance Advisory, Exeter Business School and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, our scientific approach means we are well placed to help prepare businesses for the changes needed.

You’re not too small to make a difference

If you’re seeking changes in your workplace that benefit the climate emergency but you’re unconvinced you’ll get stakeholder sign-off, the Every job is a climate job report contains the alarming evidence that businesses need to start corporate action immediately. See where you fit within the key findings and download the report now.