Welcome to the HBR Video Quick Take. I’m Todd Pruzan, senior editor for research and special projects at Harvard Business Review. As the world sets its ambitious sustainability targets, companies are focusing on redefining and sometimes reinventing their business operations. Accelerating these efforts is also shaping the landscape of work.
We’re here today with Charise Le, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Schneider Electric, to talk about how business leaders and their organizations are adapting, thriving, and driving sustainable progress in this transformative era. Charise, thanks so much for being with us.Charise, how are the growing efforts around decarbonization transforming the world of work?Yeah. I think as organizations across the globe look to accelerate their decarbonization efforts, the demand for climate-related jobs will only increase. Our study with Boston University found that deploying clean energy technologies in new and retrofitted buildings can create more than two million jobs. On the other side, workers’ preferences are changing, and people are more sustainability driven. And Deloitte found that almost 50% of self-assessed higher-income workers have considered switching jobs to work for a more sustainable company—so, great opportunities for organizations to reshape their people practices to build the connection.It does sound like a great opportunity. Charise, the growth in demand for green skills is outpacing the supply, according to some recent studies. How can companies help close the skills gap?I think companies have roles to play in two dimensions—one, to help your own people; and two, to help society. For your own people, I think the first thing to do is make your own sustainability commitment. Raise awareness among your people about the value of green skills. Thus, you create the sense of urgency and the desire to learn