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Climate is one of the most significant issues of our time, reshaping economies, societies and individual lives. In this context, career counselling and education play a critical role in equipping people to cope with uncertainty and navigate these changes. As global efforts intensify to mitigate and adapt to climate change, career development professionals are uniquely positioned to help clients meet the demands of this evolving landscape.
This requires thinking beyond “green jobs” and integrating climate considerations into every aspect of our career practice, emphasizing sustainability, adaptation, decent work, mental health and well-being. Career Construction Theory (CCT), particularly its concept of career adaptability (Savickas ,1997; Savickas & Porfeli, 2012), offers a strong foundation for resourcing our clients in the context of the climate crisis.
The case for climate-informed career counselling
Whether or not our clients talk about climate change, it probably affects their mental health and well-being. In a well-known study published by The Lancet in 2021, Caroline Hickman and colleagues found that 75% of young people surveyed globally saw the future as frightening, and almost half reported that their daily functioning was negatively affected by climate change.
Emotional responses to the climate crisis are reasonable and can include anxiety, guilt, betrayal, grief and overwhelm, among many other feelings. Denial is also a common protective response. As career practitioners, we can support our clients’ mental health by validating their emotional responses to climate change and fostering their sense of agency when discussing the future of work on a warming planet.
Sustainable careers
The shift toward a sustainable economy offers a wealth of career opportunities in green industries. Key sectors experiencing growth include renewable energy, climate technology, environmental engineering and circular economy initiatives. Simultaneously, climate change threatens the safety of workers who are exposed to extreme heat, and escalating climate disasters continue to disrupt livelihoods globally.
In this context, career practitioners must be aware of career pathways that align with both sustainability and decent work. Tools like the Resilience by Design Lab’s Climate Action Competency Explorer can help career practitioners and clients consider the cross-sectoral skillsets that are needed to integrate climate action in the workplace.
Career Construction Theory and adaptability in the climate era
Career Construction Theory (CCT) provides a powerful lens for understanding how individuals can navigate the complexities of climate-informed career development. It emphasizes how people give personal meaning to their past, present and future experiences, helping them construct meaningful careers and clarify future directions.
CCT consists of three components: vocational personality, career adaptability and life theme. Career adaptability (Savickas, 1997; Savickas & Porfeli, 2012), encompasses four key dimensions: concern, control, curiosity and confidence. These dimensions are particularly relevant when addressing climate-related career challenges.
Concern: Fostering future orientation and proactive planning
- Climate-informed career counsellors can help individuals anticipate future trends in the labour market, particularly shifts toward green industries and decent work. By cultivating a sense of concern, career practitioners encourage clients to think strategically about their long-term goals and the environmental and social impacts of their work.
Control: Empowering individuals to take charge of their career development
- The unpredictability of climate change’s impact on the environment and work can leave individuals feeling powerless. Career practitioners can enhance clients’ sense of control by guiding them to set actionable goals, make informed decisions and manage uncertainties.
Curiosity: Encouraging exploration and openness to new opportunities
- Environmental change demands innovative thinking and a willingness to explore uncharted paths. Encouraging curiosity allows clients to consider emerging fields such as renewable energy system installation and maintenance, circular economy entrepreneurship, and disaster and emergency management.
Confidence: Building self-efficacy in managing career challenges
- Confidence is vital for overcoming obstacles, particularly in competitive or volatile sectors. Career practitioners can strengthen confidence through climate upskilling, mentorship opportunities and success stories of individuals thriving in sustainable careers.
By leveraging these career adaptability dimensions, career development professionals can help individuals not only navigate but thrive within environmental and economic transitions.
Shaping society through sustainable careers
The intersection of career development and climate action offers an opportunity to affect individuals and society. By guiding clients toward sustainable careers, career professionals can help promote a cultural shift that values environmental stewardship and decent work.
Addressing environmental challenges requires career counselling to incorporate climate considerations that allow career professionals to empower individuals to be flexible and contribute to sustainability. Career construction theory, with its focus on adaptability, provides a strong framework for this approach.
Transforming career pathways prepares individuals for the future while actively shaping it. Through climate-informed career counselling, people and communities can be better equipped to face climate-induced challenges with adaptability and purpose.
