Kolkata and Bengal may soon become the grooming ground for sustainability professionals

It is working on taking up a joint initiative with two Kolkata-based organisations- EEMP and Energy Ensemble to design, develop and run a special curriculum to prepare professionals who would make the transition to Net Zero smooth and proper.

Speaking on the side-lines of a round table on “Clean Energy-Circular Economy Nexus: The Way Forward”, organised by Energy Ensemble, EEMP and CWBTA, and curated by Sunil Goenka, in Kolkata, Tim Patterson, CEO, Economy Solution Group, said that the next big step in this regard will be initiated sometime in July and many environmental scientists, social organisations will be involved in the process.

Interestingly, the demand for sustainability managers is on the rise, fuelled by growing awareness of environmental issues and increasing corporate focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices.

This trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating a substantial increase in "green jobs" and a growing need for skilled professionals in this field. India alone is projected to have 30 million green jobs in the next 25 years, highlighting the significant expansion of opportunities in the sustainability space, said Patterson, adding that the global demand for sustainability skills is growing, with LinkedIn reporting a significant increase in job postings requiring these skills.

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr Swati Nandi Chakraborty, noted environment scientist, said, “The demand for Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs), ESG officers, and experts in sustainable supply chains and operations is increasing. Besides, sustainability is no longer just a niche field; it's becoming integrated into various roles and industries, with companies seeking professionals with a range of skills, including environmental finance, energy management, and sustainable procurement. Companies in industries like renewable energy, electric vehicles, green finance, and sustainable waste management are actively seeking sustainability professionals. Government regulations and policies related to environmental protection and sustainability are also contributing to the demand for sustainability professionals.”
That’s not all. Besides education and training, the British and Kolkata-based organisations would also take up joint studies and research projects to come up with data points, statistics to identify the gaps in this space, said Patterson. “With due respects to the talents in other parts of India, the large talent pool that Kolkata and Bengal offers has always drawn me to the city.”

Speaking at the session, Subhojit Roy, a communications expert and social activist, said, “In the face of escalating climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the integration of clean energy systems with circular economy principles offers a transformative pathway toward sustainable development."

"The Clean Energy–Circular Economy Nexus emphasizes the synergy between renewable energy solutions and closed-loop resource utilization. While clean energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, circular economy models minimize waste and extend the lifecycle of materials through reuse, recycling, and sustainable design," he said.

"Together, they create a resilient, low-carbon economy that decouples growth from environmental harm. This paper explores how aligning these two powerful concepts can pave the way forward for green innovation, economic resilience, and global climate goals," Roy said.

Roy, who is also a Rotarian, mentioned a pilot project by Rotary in River Thames with Seagrass to make the river pollution free.

It has been approved by the London Port Authority and a pilot project worth $2mn  is being implemented in the 4 zones of the River Thames.

Dr Nandi Chakraborty said that all sectors and people from different fields should work towards environmental security, economic growth and social welfare and circular economy should lead us to that goal.

CK Vardarajan, General Secretary, Confederation of West Bengal Traders Association (CWBTA), on his parts, said, “Green finance investments are promoted and proportionated by the need for clean energy. This study exhibits the need to design a comprehensive policy for strengthening environmental responsibility and green finance through the funding of green technology to successful energy transition and sustainable development goals. The nexus of environmental responsibility, green technology, clean energy and green finance is a step forward on sustainability.”