Industrial production accounts for more than half of the world's energy consumption – a rising and disproportionate use of energy that is unsustainable and underscores the urgent need for low-carbon, environmentally friendly production. The solution lies in a comprehensive transformation of conventional production at all levels and along the entire value chain. Products, processes and systems must be optimised in line with the technological opportunities for sustainable production.
Climate change and the accompanying social and political pressure to reduce carbon emissions, as well as skyrocketing energy prices, are creating incentives for companies to strive for more sustainable production. Companies that reduce energy consumption and waste, and reduce their carbon footprint not only fulfil their social responsibility, but also take the first steps towards a circular economy. In addition, by adopting sustainable production practices companies can ensure they comply with sustainability regulations and create long-term opportunities for increased profitability and competitive advantages.
Industrial employees with specialised knowledge and well-rounded fundamental skills are indispensable for realising the full potential of overall sustainable production. Energy management competencies are interdisciplinary, meaning that various training profiles, such as that of the classic electronics or electrical engineer, are being enhanced to include sustainability-related skills. In addition to these broad training requirements for green issues, there is also an increasingly diverse range of specific job profiles related to energy efficiency on the labour market. These include energy engineers and energy auditors, sustainability managers, greenhouse gas report auditors and carbon capture installers, to name just a few. Well-trained energy efficiency and environmental experts have excellent career opportunities, and this trend is rising.