“Fundamental misunderstanding” around green skills amongst Gen Z, new research reveals

SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) has today, 14 October 2025, called on the Government to address the “fundamental misunderstanding” around the skills needed for net zero.

New data published by SUEZ found a significant awareness gap between the generations on net zero. Fewer than half (44%) of 16 to 18 year olds are confident they understand why the UK Government is trying to reach net zero. This compares to 69% of 25 to 34 year olds and 87% of all business leaders.

The polling showed that only 17% of young people see AI and technology as key skills for reaching net zero, compared to over 53% of business leaders. Just over one in five (21%) young people consider engineering to be a green skill.

When asked what they consider as the most important criteria for a future career, 72% of 16-18 year olds cited a good salary. Just 18% said they prioritise a job which benefits the environment.

SUEZ has written to the Education Secretary Bridget Philipson and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, labelling the data a “wake-up call”, and warned that the UK is not equipping young people with the desire and critical skills for the net zero transition. SUEZ urged the Government to lead a public awareness campaign to encourage the next generation to pursue career opportunities in green sectors.

The letter also called on the Government to:

• Deliver the Growth and Skills Levy reforms as soon as possible.
• Support new curricula which improve students’ awareness of the skills needed for the net zero transition;
• Publish the long-awaited reports from the former cross-departmental Government Green Jobs Delivery Group - which were completed before the last election but have not yet been published;
• Launch an ambitious strategy to encourage the uptake of STEM skills, particularly amongst underrepresented groups; and
• Introduce a standalone qualification for the waste and recycling sector, to attract new people to the sector.

Dr Adam Read MBE, Chief Sustainability & External Affairs Officer at SUEZ said: “We risk facing a green skills crisis in the UK. Businesses of all sizes need to hire for green roles. But we are not providing Find out more about the SUEZ Group on the website and on social media students with the training they need for these roles, and there are still stark gaps in green career opportunities between regions of the UK.

“These findings should be a wake-up call for the Government and our industry, to do more to give young people the tools needed for a sustainable career. It is also risks undermining the UK’s ability to compete internationally and attract the best talent to work in the net zero transition.

“We cannot afford to waste so much potential which we’ll desperately need if we are to tackle the major challenges we face in reaching net zero and a more circular economy. That’s why we are urging the Government to launch a new campaign to promote the exciting array of green jobs out there.”

The research further revealed that 83% of 16-18 year olds predict green skills will be as or more important in three years’ time. Worryingly however, only one third of respondents (34%) say that their education has prepared them well for a career in a sustainable sector.

When asked what would help access more green skills opportunities or jobs, the top results included: more information on where to find opportunities, more training at school or college, better advertising on social media and better careers education.