4 Million Jobs: The Hidden Workforce Behind Net Zero

What if the biggest story of the net zero transition isn’t technology, policy or investment, but jobs?Jobs that disappear, jobs that transform, and millions of jobs that don’t exist yet.In this episode, Fiona sits down with ⁠Julian Critchlow⁠, advisory partner at ⁠Bain & Company⁠, former Director General for Energy Transformation & Clean Growth in UK government, and one of the architects of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy.Julian’s work at Bain on green skills reveals something most people haven’t yet grasped: the transition to a clean economy is going to reshape around 4 million jobs across the UK. That includes roughly 1 million entirely new roles, and 3 million people who will need significant reskilling as industries electrify, retool and reinvent themselves.This conversation connects the dots between climate ambition, industrial strategy and the real human workforce behind the transition.In this episode you’ll learn:Why the UK is one of the most fossil-fuel-exposed economies in the worldThe surprising sectors where green jobs will appear — including finance, transport, construction and home energyHow electrification will transform everything from car servicing to grid engineeringWhy the biggest blockers to net zero may not be technology — but skills, training and workforce capacityWhat past transitions (like the decline of coal) teach us about avoiding social and regional disruptionHow employers can prepare for a future where their entire workforce requires new capabilitiesWhy retraining at scale will demand corporate-led learning, not just universities and collegesWhether you're an employer, policymaker, student, or someone thinking about your next career move, this is one of the clearest explanations of the real workforce implications of net zero you’ll hear.Resources & Links:⁠Bain & Company – Green Skills Report⁠Join Earth Set Live:We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, policy leaders and thinkers shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month.Grab tickets here: 👉 ⁠earthset.co⁠If you enjoyed this episode:Please take a moment to:Leave 5 starsWrite a quick reviewSend it to someone interested in green careers or the future of work — it really helps more people discover the show.Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon.