PMI identifies catalysts for climate progress

The Managing Director of Sub-Saharan Africa, Project Management Institute (PMI), George Asamani, has identified green, power, and project management skills as catalysts for climate progress, noting that skills have emerged as a critical area of focus.

He explained that forces such as globalisation and advancing technology continue to reshape most jobs, with emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI), remote working, and climate literacy, amongst others, placing demands on workers to acquire new skills.

“As economies transition from brown to green and AI becomes more mainstream, upskilling and reskilling are par for the changes happening now,” he added.

Asamani said: “The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs 2023 report predicts that investments in the green transition of businesses will drive the most robust net job creation.

Climate change adaptation and the demographic dividend in developing and emerging economies also rate high as net job creators.

“Technological advancement through increased adoption of new technologies and increased digital access are also expected to drive job growth.”

On what skills were needed today for these jobs of the future, Asamani said: “With July 2023 declared the hottest month on record, the United Nations has warned that the era of global boiling had arrived while 140 countries accounting for over 90 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions have already proposed or set net-zero targets for around mid-century, encouraging employees to develop green skills through training is crucial.”

He explained that while most green conversations often gravitate toward technology, materials, and waste, the role of project management is often undervalued.