UNTIL recently, I harboured a somewhat naïve view of the green economy. Honestly, I thought a green job meant donning a hi-vis vest for a recycling campaign or joining the front lines of climate activism.
I believe those are all noble work, certainly, but a niche career path. Like many students, I viewed green jobs through a narrow lens of activism rather than industry. Sustainability, to me, felt like something separate from mainstream careers.
My illusion was dismantled after sitting in on a panel discussion at the Asia ESG Summit 2025.
The session was titled “Greening Human Capital: Preparing Asia’s Labour Markets for the Green Economy Transition - Policies, Skills Development, and Ensuring a Fair Transition”.
I walked in expecting a lecture on sustainability, but I walked out realising I was looking at the blueprint for the entire future of work. I did not realise it would shape almost every industry and profession in the near future. Listening to the speakers that day completely changed how I see the future of work and my place in it.
What surprised me most was the scale of Asia’s green potential. During the panel, it was shared that the Asia-Pacific green economy could create 30 million new jobs and attract US$170bil (RM660bil) in investments annually by 2030.
I was genuinely in awe by how big these numbers were. I had never connected sustainability with economic growth at that level. I always thought it was about saving the planet, but I learnt that it is also about creating opportunities for my generation. That realisation made sustainability feel personal and urgent.
Asia’s green economy matters because our region is both vulnerable and powerful. We face pollution, deforestation and serious climate risks.
At the same time, we are home to some of the fastest-growing green industries. I learnt that this creates both opportunity and responsibility.
If we fail to prepare our workforce, we risk missing out on millions of jobs. But if we invest in people, we can build a low-carbon, resilient and inclusive economy. It made me realise that the green transition is not only about technology or infrastructure—it is about human capital.
Integration over isolation
Orbis Business School senior sustainability consultant and trainer Dr Hari Ramalu’s sharing helped me understand how governments are responding. I discovered that sustainability is not just the responsibility of the Environment Ministry.
Other ministries like Trade and Industry now have their own sustainability departments. That shift shows that ESG is becoming integrated into economic strategy.
Malaysia’s ESG framework also signals that sustainability is now embedded within business and policy planning.
What stood out to me was his reminder that environmental integrity goes beyond carbon. We must also protect biodiversity, manage waste and safeguard ecosystems.
I agree with his view that federal, state and local governments must coordinate better, especially since local councils handle waste and urban sustainability. Without alignment, policies may look good on paper but fail in practice.
Education for a changing world
As a student, I was particularly drawn to Curtin University Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Lew Tek-Yew’s points about education.
He shared that under the Malaysian Qualifications Framework 2024, universities are now required to integrate sustainability into their academic design.
Institutions such as Curtin, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Monash University and Sunway University have already embedded ESG into their missions and research.
Hearing about Curtin’s collaboration with Sarawak Energy to offer sustainability-focused programmes showed me how universities can align with industry needs.
The mention of micro-credentials, industry projects and Sustainable Development Goals-mapped curricula led me to reflect deeply.
Earning a degree at university is a given, but it is also about preparing for real-world problems that are complex and interdisciplinary. If ESG evolves quickly, then lifelong learning becomes essential.
Impact matters
ImpakHUB co-founder Edison Choong’s perspective impacted me on a more personal level. He said ESG is not merely about compliance but about real impact.
His idea of “impak-makers” individuals and organisations that genuinely want to create change made me reflect on my own responsibility.
I used to think sustainability was the job of corporations or policymakers. But his reminder that “ESG is personal” challenged that mindset.
If everyone plays a role in addressing the 17 SDGs, then I cannot sit back and assume others will fix global issues.
Character, integrity and purpose matter just as much as qualifications.
Competence and clarity
International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE) advisory board member Paul Van Brenkelen expanded my understanding even further by linking sustainability with technology and governance.
He highlighted the importance of digital skills such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy systems and digital twins for future ESG applications.
I had always assumed green jobs were mostly for environmental scientists or engineers. Now I see that data analysts, business strategists, software developers and policymakers will also play critical roles.
However, technology alone is not enough. Strong governance, ethical leadership and sound decision-making frameworks are necessary to ensure ESG initiatives are meaningful and long-lasting.
That made me realise that future green leaders must combine technical competence with moral clarity.
A new perspective
Overall, this session reshaped my perspective on the future of work. Green transition is not only about protecting the environment but about redefining careers, education, and leadership.
This sharing session with these experts challenged me to think about the kind of profession and person I want to become in a rapidly changing world.
As a student, I now see sustainability as something that should be embedded in every discipline, not treated as an elective topic.
I hope universities continue updating their syllabi to keep pace with the rapidly evolving job market, and that industry leaders treat sustainability as a core value rather than a temporary business trend.
Most importantly, preparing for Asia’s green future starts with us, as we are the next generation. Education, ethics and purpose are the foundation of a resilient and inclusive economy.
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