Every benefit of DEI is an advantage for sustainability — the opposite is also true. The willingness to tackle both requires transparency and dedication.
By Evelyn Long, editor-in-chief of Renovated
There is still little diversity when observing trades like construction, electrical and plumbing. Women, people of color and other minority demographics remain less represented. This reality is a concern for organizations as they set climate objectives. Uncover the state of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental progress in these fields and why they are inextricably linked.
The State of Diversity in Trades and Why It’s Important
Historically, most trades have been dominated by men. Efforts to include people of other races, genders, ages and abilities have taken years because discrimination has become an unfortunate part of these industries.
There are few women in leadership roles, wage discrepancies among races and minimal opportunities for those with disabilities — research shows that only 24% of companies think people who are neurodivergent bring value. Overall, there are many representation issues in trades like construction and water.
Filling these gaps with more diverse workers is essential for these reasons:
- Fixing labor shortages: Businesses must believe in the competency of these demographics as job vacancies persist and cause delays in development.
- Supporting economic equality: Employers can level out class injustice by ensuring everyone has a chance to succeed.
- Bettering problem-solving: Those with varied experiences can bring more targeted solutions for greater equity.
- Dissolving judgements: Creating more inclusive workforces fosters an accepting, positive culture that promotes respect for all cultures and backgrounds.
One of the best aspects of DEI in trades is how it more accurately reflects a community. Many contracting organizations with mostly white and male workers do not represent the region where they build. If there were employees from all walks of life, then it would paint a more accurate picture of who lives in the communities that tradespeople serve. Unfortunately, many DEI initiatives are at risk in the United States because of the current presidential administration. An estimated one in eight companies will cut or lower their focus on them in 2025. This makes commitment all the more urgent. Funding and corporate advocacy are key ingredients to making a more equitable society and workforce.
The Climate of Sustainable Development in Trades
Trades are also slowly becoming more sustainable by reducing waste generation, incorporating renewable materials and using energy-efficient techniques. Green legislation is the primary driver of these engagements, funding and enforcing apprenticeship programs, infrastructure retrofits, renewable energy expansion and smart tech incorporation.
However, like DEI, people are starting to meet these projects with greater resistance, pulling out of yearslong commitments. It is partially related to the lack of diverse opinions in trades and can be partially attributed to changes in the political climate.
These are the reasons why maintaining resolve and momentum in sustainable initiatives in trades is crucial:
- Reducing carbon emissions: Trades like construction have a large negative impact on the planet.
- Conserving resources: Construction and demolition waste is one example of how trades use excessive materials and send them to landfills.
- Saving money: Trades that use more circular and lean strategies require lower spending.
- Making environments healthier: Companies must use fewer toxic materials in every trade, including welding, landscaping, carpentry and more, to reduce health crises.
- Enhance natural interactivity: Tradespeople are essential for constructing parks, making areas walkable and keeping environments clean, which makes all communities more inclined to spend time respecting the natural world.
If trades focused on sustainability more alongside DEI, it could prevent risks like the Flint water crisis or the Texas cold snap. These are only a few events that endangered many people, but predominantly those of minority populations, because of environmental negligence.
Additionally, promoting sustainable trades will keep communities safe from natural disasters. Electricians upgrading the grid, plumbers replacing antiquated pipes and bricklayers building retaining walls all contribute to a safer, more resilient society. Stronger infrastructure and construction will lead to less damage in severe storms and winds, equally protecting families of all backgrounds. It reduces the time it takes to recover from tragedies and keep communities healthy.
How Increased Diversity Boosts Environmental Efforts
Every benefit of DEI is an advantage for sustainability — and the opposite is also true. The willingness to tackle both requires transparency and dedication. When companies prioritize both, they can establish fair neighborhoods and cities built upon the experiences of many backgrounds and ideas. These are how DEI and environmental advocacy create an idealized world for trade workers.
Meeting Sustainable Development Goals
The most apparent connection between sustainability and diversity is in reference to the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations. Many of the 17 objectives relate to environmental balance, but several concern inclusivity, equity and collaboration, such as:
- Gender equality.
- Reduced inequalities.
- Peace, justice and strong institutions.
The United Nations includes these goals alongside actions like responsible consumption and production because it knows they work synergistically. Sustainable cities and communities can only happen with diverse workers and by eliminating discrimination in trades.
Driving Innovation
Trades must prioritize hiring diverse workers to bring new ideas to the sector. Leaders are entering an era where innovation is essential. Neural variances are necessary for inclusive design and establishing productive feedback for future projects. Having minds from various backgrounds and experiences raises the chance of being exposed to more creative solutions.
Allow everyone an equal chance to contribute to process improvements and other actions. Doing so could lead to a more considerate supply chain, a novel product design or an energy-efficient workflow. Research also shows that diverse teams contribute to safer worksites and can enhance productivity and efficiency.
Trades may only develop a culture of continuous improvement and imagination by having people willing to revise antiquated practices and feel empowered to combat norms.
Addressing Environmental Injustice
Eco-social justice represents the link between sustainable action and DEI. It attempts to mend the disproportionate effects that minority communities have experienced because of the climate crisis. Hiring diverse people in trades gives them a chance to rewrite history, building infrastructure to withstand these stressors.
Giving diverse people a chance to use their experience to reinforce society with climate-resilient solutions is an effective way to safeguard marginalized communities. It also normalizes practices in trade sectors to address the needs of people of different backgrounds.
Engaging the Community
Tradespeople could be leaders and inspirations in environmental stewardship at a local level. They can design everything from water infrastructure to smart cities to meet every demographic’s needs. For example, participation from Indigenous groups was vital to projects like Asia Pulp and Paper’s Integrated Forestry and Farming System, which promoted eco-friendly forest management. Projects like this directly influence how trades operate.
Addressing Racism in Infrastructure
The Secretary of Transportation from the Biden administration, Pete Buttigieg, discussed how injustice is embedded in U.S. infrastructure, saying, “There is racism physically built into some of our highways, and that’s why the jobs plan has specifically committed to reconnect some of the communities that were divided by these dollars.”
He states that in some cities, highways were built at the expense of communities of color, such as those in Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Pittsburgh. Some overpasses were built low in Black communities, while others were built to reinforce racial segregation by separating predominantly white and Black communities. One way to correct this issue is to invest in communities that have been historically hurt by infrastructure initiatives in the United States.
Developing the Workforce
Many underrepresented groups have fewer opportunities than the majority of tradespeople. Opening doors for these individuals has numerous benefits for a greener economy. First, it upskills people with sustainable proficiencies. In 2023, only one in eight people had at least one green skill, demonstrating a need for training, apprenticeships and education.
Secondly, focusing on DEI ensures that jobs created for the economy of the future begin with fairness in mind. Establishing unions could be an impactful way to achieve this. Research shows several minorities are more likely to participate in and complete programs within these organizations. There are many vacancies in the green job market because of the lack of expertise.
Boosting the confidence of diverse workforces establishes a precedent for how trades will look and operate in a more idealized society. Eventually, those who endured poverty or had few job opportunities in their area will become more stable because of DEI and sustainability objectives.
The DEI-Sustainability Connection
Many business owners assume that ethical labor and sustainability are incompatible. They believe they have to choose between paying employees a livable wage and making environmental commitments because both increase costs and reduce profits. However, the truth is that ethical businesses are considered less risky and actually more profitable.
It is imperative to diversify the workforce to achieve environmental goals. Doing so reveals new ideas, dissolves systemic inequalities and provides stable work for people of all backgrounds. The perspectives also prepare the planet for any future climate stressors while working to reduce their frequency. Organizations must acknowledge how these two areas connect to lay the foundation for a more sustainable and equitable society.