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Launch of the Future Skyline Skills Commitment: Why Net Zero Needs a New Kind of Workforce

We talk a lot about net zero targets- but not enough about the people who’ll deliver them. The built environment plays a central role in meeting the UK’s climate goals, and yet the sector is facing a double crunch: not enough time, and not enough skilled people.

That’s why the City of London Corporation, working with the Centre for Behavioural Equality, is launching the Future Skyline Skills Commitment. Shaped by 350 built environment employers, this is a sector-led practical framework that helps UK contractors, education providers and the wider supply chain recruit more diverse talent and embed green skills where they’re needed most.

Why now?

Construction and the wider built environment remains one of the UK’s highest carbon-emitting sectors. To deliver the built environment London needs – including retrofit, new development and infrastructure – over 250,000 additional construction workers will be needed in the capital by 2028.

Many businesses want to help create a greener, fairer London, but don’t know where to start. The Commitment offers a straightforward and flexible route to take tangible action.

What signatories commit to:

Through a tiered framework, organisations choose the actions that suit their size and scope, including:

·       Championing new and diverse entrants into the workforce

·       Supporting inclusive, green skills training

·       Collaborating across the supply chain to share best practice.

The Commitment is voluntary, based on best endeavours, and designed to raise ambition without creating barriers.

Industry-led, policy-aligned

The Commitment was shaped by the City Corporation’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce, and directly supports national and regional strategies such as the London Plan and the UK Net Zero Strategy.

How does the Commitment work?

The Future Skyline Skills Commitment is a free, non-legally binding industry pledge to attract and retain new entrants into the built environment workforce. It renews annually and exemplifies firms’ social value efforts across the calendar year (i.e. October 2025 to December 2026).

Signatory firms have the freedom to showcase activities from one specific project or from across their portfolio of projects and corporate initiatives across the UK built environment, covering both commercial and residential projects. Signatories should try and deliver against all requirements within the level (either for a project or as a corporate commitment).

Signatories receive a digital badge which indicates their Level and pledge year of the Commitment, which they are welcome to display on their website and assets.

Firms select which of the Commitment’s categories for organisations best describe their organisation: Client teams, Main contractors, Subcontractors, Further Education providers.

Some signatory firms are classed as Supporters, meaning that they do not deliver on any of the Level asks and, instead, they use their voice to amplify the Commitment and encourage their members and contacts to sign up.

The Commitment’s Levels are:

–        Level 1 | Strengthen: Embed inclusive, green workforce practices for lasting impact.

–        Level 2 | Inspire: Spark interest in green built environment careers through early, engaging exposure.

–        Level 3 | Build: Offer work and training opportunities with a focus on sustainability.

–        Level 4 | Lead: Drive sector-wide change through collaboration and climate leadership.

–        Supporter: For organisations who support the ethos of the Commitment to promote it across their whole supply chain.

Get involved

The Commitment launches on 1 October 2025, and we’re inviting built environment organisations of all sizes to join us.

To learn more or express your interest, contact Chris Oldham, Programme Lead for the Skyline Taskforce: Chris.Oldham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Author: Chris Oldham (Programme Lead for the Skyline Taskforce)

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