J&K’s Path to Sustainability

J&K is facing many environmental issues that if left unattended can lead to disastrous consequences. It, in turn, will impede our economic growth and threaten food security. We have already been impacted severely by some of these issues and living with them is a reality for us.

But there is still ample hope, as J&K has lot of potential in using its natural resources sustainably to boost its economic growth. This can be achieved by creating a sustainable, pollution free, well managed & fair economy that will add to the creation of multiple sources of revenue generation, ensure growth and jobs for the people.

In today’s world, we are witnessing an increased emphasis on green skills and green growth, and hence green jobs. The earth is sending distress signals in the form of floods, reduced rainfall, wildfires, wildlife barging into human populations, erratic weather patterns, air and water pollution, dwindling drinking water resources, declining agricultural yields, soil erosion, deforestation, and reckless urbanization.

We in J&K are in the midst of climate change related issues, be it our water system, air quality, domestic solid waste management, effluent treatment, surface water drainage system, bio medical waste management, brick kiln emissions, stone crusher waste, hotel issues, building and construction activities, wetland shrinkage, reckless use of fertilizer and pesticides and host of all other industrial emissions and liquid waste, forest area reduction etc. These challenges threaten our human progress, food security, drinking water, agricultural-horticulture yield, compelling all of us to consider what will be left for future generations. Therefore, green growth is a must scenario for J&K.

The central Government has incorporated green growth into its vision. The goal is to achieve poverty eradication alongside environmentally sustainable economic development. A green economy is characterized by low-carbon emissions, resource efficiency, and social inclusivity.

A key driver of this economy is the green consumer—individuals who prioritize eco-friendly products and environmental sustainability in their purchasing decisions. Notably, Green Consumer Day is observed on September 28 each year to promote awareness of sustainable consumption. The lack of awareness amongst our population is huge and this gap needs to be filled by incorporating such issues in the school curriculum and syllabi of all other educational institutes besides undertaking an active campaign for adult population.

Understanding Green Skills

There is a growing understanding for green skills now. The green skills refer to knowledge, abilities, and attitudes that support a sustainable and resource-efficient economy. These skills are essential for transitioning to more environment friendly production and consumption patterns, particularly in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), which possess unique environmental and strategic significance.

For this transition to green skills and green jobs, systemic changes are required, leading to new products, services, business models, and production processes. The greening of the economy will inevitably alter the skill sets required across various industries and occupations. A hectic effort is inevitable to fill this gap for sustainable development of our economy.

 The Role of Green Skills in Sustainable Development

Green growth aims to achieve economic prosperity that is both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Among the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 9 emphasizes upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to enhance resource efficiency and promote environmentally sound technologies. Similarly, Goal 12 focuses on the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030.

The transition to a green economy affects workforce skills in three main ways:

• Structural changes: This will lead to increased demand for some jobs and a decrease in other jobs .
• Creation of new occupations: The emergence of new skills profiles, qualifications, and training requirements is a strong area which needs to be harnessed for the betterment of employment opportunities to the youth of J&K.
• Greening of existing occupations: The adaptation of present tasks and qualifications can be augmented in response to environmental considerations by incorporating skill evaluation and subsequently enhancement.

Green General Skill Index

The internationally acclaimed Green General Skill Index identifies four key skill areas crucial for green occupations:

Engineering and Technical Skills: Such a personnel should have expertise in designing, constructing, and assessing green technologies, including eco-buildings and renewable energy projects.

Science Skills: Such skills should have competencies rooted in disciplines like physics and biology, essential for innovation and sustainability in various sectors.

Operations Management Skills: Such a skill requires organizational and business model changes to integrate sustainability, life-cycle management, and lean production in the industrial processes.

Monitoring Skills: This group of professionals should have knowledge of technical and legal standards for assessing environmental compliance and sustainability in the system.

The Need for Green Skill Development in J&K

J&K holds immense potential for carbon sequestration projects, methane gas production from domestic waste, adoption of vermin composting units, hydropower production. These areas requires skilled professionals in areas such as carbon literacy, green engineering, and sustainable agriculture.

Key competencies include:

Architectural and Planning Skills: This group should be able to design energy-efficient buildings that comply with environmental regulations.

Water Management Training: These professionals need to be trained by establishing specialized training hubs for wastewater treatment and water management.

Green Economy and Its Components

A green economy encompasses multiple sectors, including:

• Renewable energy
• Green buildings
• Sustainable transportation
• Efficient water and waste management
• Responsible land use

Green skills play a critical role in ensuring long-term sustainability by promoting renewable energy, water conservation, pollution reduction, and waste management. They contribute directly to economic development by fostering environmental responsibility.

Sustainable Development and Global Goals

The SDGs, introduced by the United Nations in 2015, outline a global agenda to address pressing societal challenges, including poverty, gender equality, energy use, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. A green economy aligns with these goals by promoting investment in sustainable infrastructure, reducing carbon footprints, and enhancing resource efficiency.

Historically, industrial development relied on the assumption of an infinite supply of natural resources, leading to excessive greenhouse gas emissions. However, the urgency of climate action, as emphasized in the Paris Agreement, calls for a paradigm shift in economic policies and societal attitudes toward sustainability.

The Govt of India launched Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP), which aims to train India’s youth in environmental and forest-related sectors, enabling them to secure employment or engage in self-sustaining green enterprises. The initiative supports commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), SDGs, National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs), and Waste Management Rules (2016). This training covers fields such as pollution monitoring, waste management, water conservation, wildlife management, and sustainable urban planning. A certificate is also issued under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

Employment Opportunities in Renewable Energy and Green Sectors

The International Labor Organization estimates that transitioning to sustainable energy sources and a circular economy can generate 100 million jobs worldwide. Potential green career paths include:

• Solar Engineer
• Energy Manager
• Renewable Energy Policy Analyst
• Sustainability Specialist
• Environmental Compliance Inspector
• Project Formulation Unit
• Climate Change Cell
• Environmental Auditor
• Pollution Control Equipment Manager
• Lab Analyst for Water/Waste Water and Air Quality and host of other jobs.

Conclusion

Green skills are essential for fostering an environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economic future for J&K which is an eco fragile area. By integrating sustainability principles into education, industry, and governance, J&K can create a resilient, low-emission policy planning which can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

The establishment of an environmental skill development institute is a requirement for aligning development with sustainability and our concerted efforts in skill development, policy alignment, and green innovation will trigger this transition to a sustainable economy which is not just a necessity but an achievable reality.

The author is a climate change consultant and a social activist