When we think about jobs that save the planet, we rarely think about the financial sector as leading the way.
However, a new schools’ initiative from the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School is seeking to change perceptions and introduce the world of Green Finance to school students across Scotland and the UK.
‘Green Finance, Green Futures’ is a free resource developed to help explain and understand some of the key practices that support one of the main goals of COP26, ‘Mobilise Finance’.
The resource was developed at Adam Smith Business School in partnership with The Bank of England and Skills Development Scotland.
It emerged through conversations with prospective students and their parents who had heard about terms such as ‘green banking’ but were not sure what it meant or what kinds of jobs it might involve.
Over the course of three lessons, students, teachers and parents are introduced to a range of key terms, practices and jobs that support climate finance and green banking.
The lessons also include a range of video explainers from representatives from the United Nations, Scottish Government, independent think tanks and professional bodies such as the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and a variety of businesses, that can be downloaded and incorporated into other lesson plans within schools.
George Boag, Director of Digital Services at Skills Development Scotland: ‘This resource is helping to make sure young people are thinking about the growing opportunities for ‘green jobs’ and how their future careers and financial practices can positively impact the planet.’
Omar Sheikh, Managing Director at The Global Ethical Finance Institute (GEFI), who contributed to the resource, said: ‘There has never been a greater time for the possibility of financial services to make such a seismic and positive difference to the environment. Ensuring young people know that the financial services sector offers them the opportunity to change the world for the better is vital for both the economy and the planet.
Louise Agius, MSc Environment and Sustainable Development and student intern who helped to lead the project said: ‘Sometimes when you’re at school, you assume that a career in economics or finance is just about making money. I hope that this resource will allow students across Scotland and the UK to see how they can help to address the climate emergency beyond the usual jobs we associate with addressing climate change’.
Rory Selvey, MSc Economics, Finance and Banking and student intern who helped to lead the project said: ‘With COP26 coming to Glasgow, I’m proud to be part of an initiative that shows the University is not just about educating and supporting university students but is passionate about helping the whole of Scotland think about how they might become world changers surrounding climate change.’
