Unlocking Opportunities in Singapore’s Green Economy

If you want to ride the wave of Singapore’s green economy, it’s time to get creative and think outside the box. By understanding your transferable skills across industries, you can uncover opportunities in green jobs that you hadn’t considered before.

On one hand, a shift to capitalizing on green technologies and sustainable practices can bring about a much-needed beginning for a greener future. On the other hand, such a change also means gaining an edge over your competitors who have yet to learn how to evolve in this increasingly eco-conscious world.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the occupations with transferable skills that can be translated into green jobs. Whether you come from a sales background or have experience in hospitality, there’s potential for growth and opportunity within the realm of sustainability – so let’s get started!

What Is the Green Economy?

The term ‘green economy’ has been popularly used lately, but what does it mean? The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines it as a sector that is socially inclusive, low-carbon, and resource-efficient. It aims to reduce environmental harm from production and consumption while establishing a connection between economic growth and environmental welfare.

But how does this relate to Singapore? Well, Singapore has shown a commitment to going green over recent years, launching initiatives such as plastic bag bans in supermarkets, energy efficiency incentives for businesses and even creating new green buildings with improved air quality for its citizens. As such, Singapore provides a great opportunity for those looking to transfer their skills into green jobs.

Why should Businesses Adapt to a Green Economy?

As the world faces ever-increasing environmental challenges, businesses are being challenged to make sustainable adjustments in order to contribute to a more sustainable future. The green economy marks a shift to a new way of operating—one that considers the best interests of the environment and community over that of pure profit. This opens up a range of opportunities for those with transferable skills, ready to make the transition into green jobs.

So what do we mean when we talk about a “green economy”? It is defined as an economic system that seeks to use natural resources efficiently and sustainably, while minimizing waste and pollution. This type of system works with nature instead of against it, shifting away from traditional practices that have proven unsustainable due to their negative impact on the environment.

It’s essential that businesses embrace this shift in order to stay competitive and remain profitable over the long term. By adapting their operations to promote green economic activity, businesses can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also create jobs that pay well and provide meaningful impact in society.

Transitioning to a Green Economy in Singapore

Singapore has taken some major steps towards becoming a more sustainable economy, so you can definitely take advantage of the opportunities that are there.

For example, the Enterprise Sustainability Program was launched to support companies in transitioning into the Green Economy. Through this program, Singapore companies especially small and medium enterprises will receive support in the following: developing sustainability capabilities, enhancing sector-specific capabilities, and creating a conducive sustainability ecosystem.

The Singapore government has also committed to issuing S$35 billion worth of green bonds by 2030, which will be used to finance various public sector green infrastructure projects. This shows just how serious they are about making Singapore greener and creating more jobs in the green sector.

In this way, there are a number of occupations with transferable skills into Green Jobs in Singapore – from accounting and finance professionals who help manage these green bonds, to procurement officers who are in charge of responsible sourcing for the supply chain. All of these roles are part of creating an eco-friendly economy that will better serve our planet for years to come.

Occupations With Transferable Skills Into Green Jobs

If you have experience in certain occupations, you may be better positioned to transition into a career in the green economy.

Quantitative research into skills for green jobs includes key skills, portable skills, soft skills, and transferable skills. If you possess soft skills like collaboration and communication, paired with portable skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, you might be able to transition into a green job with relative ease.

Business Operations/Managers

Professionals with experience in business operations or management are in a good position to learn sustainability management skills. As a business operations or management professional, you likely have a strong grasp of corporate strategy and the ability to lead and motivate teams towards achieving goals. These skills can be applied to learn and implement sustainability management practices, such as conducting environmental impact assessments, developing sustainability metrics, and creating strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

Accountants

If you’re an accountant, you can play a vital role in promoting sustainability within your organisation. Your skills in financial analysis and reporting can be useful in creating sustainability reports, which help your company measure its environmental impact and identify areas for improvement. You can also analyze the financial risks and opportunities associated with environmental and social issues, helping your organisation make better-informed decisions. By staying up to date on sustainability reporting standards in Singapore such as the one set by the Singapore Exchange (SGX), you can add value to your organization and demonstrate your commitment to a more sustainable future.

Supply Chain/Procurement Managers

For supply chain or procurement managers, consider upskilling yourself in responsible sourcing, supply chain management and sustainable procurement in order to transition your organisation’s supply chain by incorporating responsible sourcing and sustainable procurement practices in your organisation’s operations. The goal here is to use resources responsibly while reducing carbon footprints—and these are the kinds of skills that many companies are looking for right now!

Read: ESG: Why Organisations should Implement Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Investment Bankers/Financial Analysts

Investment bankers and financial analysts can transition into green financing jobs—where you can assess the environmental impact of projects and determining the most effective ways to fund them (for example, green bonds). As an investment banker or financial analyst, you may already have experience in structuring financial products and assessing risk. These skills are highly valuable in the green financing space, as the success of these projects often depends on securing funding and managing risk effectively. In other words, if you know how to move investments around strategically, this is your opportunity to do some good!

Conclusion

While the transition to a green economy might be daunting and unfamiliar to some, it is full of potential and opportunities, both personal and professional. With the right transferable skills, Singaporeans can make the most of the opportunities available in the green economy, and help drive the country to a more sustainable future. There are no limits to the potential of green jobs in Singapore, so if you’re looking for an exciting career opportunity, don’t hesitate to explore the green economy. If you’re looking to make a career transition into the green economy, the Graduate Diploma in Business Sustainability & Environment, Social and Governance (E-Learning) is specifically designed to equip businesses and professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the world of sustainable business.