Unit:- 5

Green Skills​
Introduction

Today, we are experiencing unpredictable weather conditions due to climatic changes and
environmental deterioration. Deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources,
such as air, water and soil is taking place globally. Whether we work in a factory or in field, we
need to be aware of the factors and systems that can be harmful to the environment. We must
adopt practices that are environment friendly and avoid using processes that will harm our
surroundings.

Session 1: Green Jobs

Green jobs are positions that contribute to environmental sustainability, spanning across various
sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, and construction. These jobs aim to
protect and restore the environment by supporting sustainable production and consumption
practices.

Green collar workers include roles like solar energy engineers, environmental consultants, and
organic farmers. Governments and private entities, like India's Ministry of Skill Development,
are fostering green job growth through initiatives that promote renewable energy, energy
efficiency, and waste management. These efforts help create environmentally friendly
employment opportunities while advancing sustainable economic development.

Benefits of green jobs

The greening of the economy presents a major opportunity to start new businesses, develop new
markets and lower energy costs. Green jobs that contribute to protecting the environment and
reducing carbon footprint are becoming a key economic driver of the twenty-first century.

Green jobs help:

• increase the efficiency of energy and raw material.

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• control waste and pollution.

• protect and restore ecosystems.

• support adaptation to the effects of climate change.

Green jobs in agriculture

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Organic gardening and farming is the process by which we can grow plants and crops in an
environment friendly way. It prevents toxic runoff as no synthetic pesticides are used. It prevents
water pollution and soil contamination as no chemical is added to the soil. By using organic
methods of gardening, one can prevent the death of insects, birds, critters and other beneficial
soil organisms. Organic fruits and vegetables are free from chemical residues of synthetic
fertilizers, and hence, are good for our health.

Farmers' cooperatives, formed through groups like Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) at the village
level, help reduce agricultural risks and improve the livelihoods of small farmers. These groups
evolve into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which are collectives of small or marginal
farmers. In the agriculture sector, green jobs include roles in organic farming, integrated pest
management, farm mechanization, and agri-tourism. Government-established Krishi Vigyan
Kendras (KVKs) play a key role in supporting these initiatives by providing technology, training,
and awareness to local farmers and youth, especially in areas like agro-waste management.

Green jobs in transportation

The use of energy-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. India's biofuel policy, launched on 10 August 2018,
aims to boost biomass usage, enhance ethanol production from starch and sugar-based
feedstocks, and increase biodiesel production for blending. Biofuels, including BioCNG and
Bio-methanol, can also create green jobs.

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the Ministry of Power, has initiated an
electric vehicle program to promote e-mobility in India, encompassing electric vehicles across
road, rail, sea, and air transport. This includes both pure electric vehicles (battery electric
vehicles) and hybrid models (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles). The growing shift to electric
drives presents opportunities for new automotive market entrants and job creation, particularly in
the training of entrepreneurs for e-rickshaw maintenance.

Green jobs in water conservation

There are green jobs in water harvesting and conservation. Rooftop rainwater harvesting refers to
the process where rainwater is collected in tanks to be used later. It can be installed in all houses
and buildings. It can also help increase the water table. Cycle-run water pumps are being used
instead of electricity-run pumps. These do not consume electricity and provide a way for people
to exercise.Some common green jobs in the agriculture sector are related to water quality testing,
water conservation, water management, etc.

Green jobs in solar and wind energy

Solar and wind power plants provide clean energy. A Solar Photovoltaic Installer installs and
maintains solar panels in homes, businesses or land. A solar lighting technician assembles, tests

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and repairs different types of solar photovoltaic home lighting system and streetlights. Some
common jobs in this sector are roofer, solar panel installation technician and field technician.

Green jobs in eco-tourism

Eco-tourism is intended to provide an experience to visitors to understand the importance of

Green jobs in building and construction

Houses and buildings are becoming environment friendly. They use sustainable building
material, and follow eco-friendly construction processes and green operations.

Green building design provides an integrated approach to utilization of renewable and

Skill development has a strategic role to play in promoting the development of green buildings. It
is essential that there are enough workers equipped with appropriate skills so as to ensure that
green buildings are developed on a large scale. Areas for green jobs in this sector include
construction, landscape, gardening, maintenance of green components, water management, etc.

Green jobs in solid waste management

Solid waste is defined as any discarded solid fraction, generated from domestic units, trade
centers, commercial establishments, industries, agriculture, institutions, public services and
mining activities.

The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, has classified solid waste in 14
categories based on the source of origin and type of waste, i.e., domestic, municipal, commercial,
industrial, institutional, garbage, ash, street sweepings, dead animals, construction and
demolition waste, bulky, hazardous and sewage waste.

Solid waste management systems include collection, segregation, transportation, processing and
disposal of waste. Green jobs related to waste management are in areas like e-waste recycling,
solid waste management, waste reduction, waste auditing, waste control, etc.

Green jobs in appropriate technology

Appropriate technology is small-scale technology that is environment friendly and suited to local
needs. Examples of appropriate technology are bike-powered or hand-powered water pumps,
solar lamps in street lights, solar buildings, etc. It is the simplest technology that can get a job
done in an environment friendly manner with locally available resources.

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The green jobs in appropriate technology may include areas, such as biogas production, water
treatment filtration, farm mechanization, rainwater harvesting, sanitation, lighting, food
production, refrigeration, etc.

Session 2: Importance of Green Jobs

jobs are understood as green when people working in these areas help reduce adverse

environmental impacts, and help build environmentally, economically and socially sustainable
enterprises and economies.

Limiting greenhouse gas emissions

Some of the greenhouse gasses are Carbon dioxide, methane, Nitrous oxide, ozone and
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These are emitted due to burning of fossil fuels, using vehicles and
refrigerants, and carrying out agricultural activities, etc.

These gasses can trap heat from the earth and prevent it from escaping into outer space. This
causes the earth to heat, leading to ‘global warming’. To reduce the emission of greenhouse
gasses, people are working towards reducing the use of fossil fuels by finding less polluting
energy sources, such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Minimizing waste and pollution

Instead of only thinking about how to recycle or reuse waste, we must work towards finding
solutions on how to reduce the amount of waste produced. This will help in waste management.

Here are some of the ways for waste management:-

• Reusing scrap material

For example, in paper mills, damaged rolls are sent back to the beginning of the production line,
i.e., they are added as raw material. In manufacture of plastic items, off-cuts and scrap are
re-incorporated into new products.

• Ensuring quality control

If the quality of products is maintained, there will be a decrease in rejected products, thus,
reducing waste. Automated monitoring equipment are now being used, which can help identify
production problems at an early stage.

• Waste exchange

This is where the waste product of one process becomes the raw material for another. It
represents the way of reducing waste disposal through re-use.

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• Managing e-waste

With advanced technology, we have also encountered problems in managing e-waste like old
mobile phones, laptops and television sets. It is important to have sustainable development and
plan judiciously for recycling e-waste.

• Use of eco-friendly material

Scientists have discovered various materials, which are eco-friendly, for example, banana leaf
and paper plates that are easily disposable, etc. These must be made easily available and their use
needs to be encouraged.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems

Ecosystem is the community of living and non-living beings existing together, and interacting
with and supporting each other. It is the perfect balance where every species can survive. Human
activities, such as excess felling of trees can lead to destruction of the ecosystem, causing climate
change and natural disasters, making it difficult for living beings to survive.

People are working now to help conserve the existing ecosystems and restore the degraded ones,
using natural solutions. Forests and vegetation help stabilize slopes, and therefore, reduce the
risk of landslides. Wetlands can help control floods. Avoiding cutting of forests, planting more
trees, investing in soil health and restoration can control the emission of greenhouse gasses.

Adapting to the effects of climate change

people are trying to control the emission of greenhouse gasses, global warming will be there
dueto the damage already done in terms of felling of trees and using land for agriculture, etc. So,
we have to adapt to those changes. This means, we must find ways to survive in the new climatic
conditions. For example, if there is a weather forecast of less rain, farmers will need to grow
crops that can survive in drought conditions.

The Government of India launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in
June 2008 to address climate change through eight missions. These missions focus on solar
energy, energy efficiency, habitat, water, Himalayan ecosystems, forestry, agriculture, and
climate change knowledge. The plan aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the
impacts of climate change on the environment, forests, water resources, and agriculture.