A talk with Christian Gibson, GM UK Energy Transition at Shell and ISP Parent

These FAQs are designed for ISP parents and students. They summarise the key insights from the A to Z Speaker Series interview with Christian Gibson and include additional questions linked to the WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025.

1. What is this talk about?

This episode of the A to Z Speaker Series explores what energy transition really means and why it represents one of the most significant sources of future careers for the next generation. Through the experience of Christian Gibson, ISP parent at Claremont and GM UK Energy Transition at Shell, the conversation examines what the global energy system is changing towards and what that means for people who work in it. The discussion covers the energy trilemma, the wide range of roles that exist across the sector and how AI is changing the way the industry operates.

2. Who is Christian Gibson?

Christian Gibson is a geologist and energy transition leader who has spent over two decades at Shell, one of the world’s largest energy companies. His career has spanned multiple countries and disciplines – from the Southern North Sea to Brunei, Norway, Egypt, Oman and the Gulf of Mexico. He is currently GM UK Energy Transition at Shell, leading the strategic direction of Shell’s energy transition in the UK. He is an ISP parent at Claremont.

3. What is energy transition and what does it actually involve?

Christian defines energy transition through the concept of the energy trilemma: the challenge of making energy affordable (so people can access it), secure (so that when you flip the switch, the light comes on) and sustainable (so it does not damage the planet). These three goals are in constant tension with one another – and navigating that tension is at the heart of what energy professionals do. With 700 million people still without access to power and 2 billion without access to clean cooking, the stakes could not be higher.

4. How did Christian get into energy?

Christian’s path into energy began with a holiday to Lanzarote, where picking up a piece of olivine rock sparked a fascination with geology. That interest led him to study geography at university – though he switched to science when his passion for geology became clear. A chance conversation with a lecturer he had never spoken to before – instead of going to lunch with everyone else – led directly to his first work experience at Shell. That single decision, he says, set the course for his entire career.

5. What skills are most important in energy transition?

Christian identifies communication as the single most important skill that has carried him through his career, alongside:

• Communication – adapting your style to the room, whether you are talking to 200 drilling engineers in Louisiana, working on a rig or presenting in a boardroom
• Analytical thinking – the ability to connect data and turn it into an idea, which is something AI cannot do for you
• Curiosity and enthusiasm – Christian describes enthusiasm as one of the biggest superpowers you can have
• Adaptability – skills come from experience, not from books or screens, and the ability to seek out and learn from real opportunities is essential

Christian emphasises that the energy industry is intensely complex, intensely challenging and global – and that the skills needed are the same ones that have always mattered, just adapted for new technology.

6. Why does energy transition matter to everyday life?

Energy affects every aspect of daily life – from the light switch to the food on the table. Christian points out that while global energy consumption is already rising at a huge rate, there are still 700 million people with no access to power and 2 billion without access to clean cooking. Energy transition is not an abstract policy debate – it is about how we provide the energy that people need while protecting the planet.

7. How is AI changing the energy sector?

Christian is clear that AI speeds up the process in the energy sector – but it cannot create ideas. It can tell you that things exist, but it cannot make things happen. Human thinking, critical judgement and the ability to connect data into a real-world solution remain essential. He also notes that younger generations who have grown up with AI think about it very differently from those who encountered it later – and that this is an advantage. His advice: embrace it, learn how to use it well and always keep critical thinking switched on.

8. What kinds of roles exist in the energy sector?

The energy sector employs a far wider range of people than most students or parents realise. Christian describes it as needing the whole spectrum of skills: mechanical and chemical engineers, geologists and scientists, but also traders, corporate relations specialists, communicators and strategists. The industry is intensely complex and global, and it needs people who can work across disciplines and cultures. It is not just about oil and gas – it is about a whole group of people with different backgrounds working together towards a shared goal.

9. What is the outlook for careers in energy transition?

Christian believes the roles of the future in energy will largely be adaptations of the roles that exist today, updated for new technologies. The sector deals with space-age engineering challenges, operates in complex global environments and is under enormous pressure to change fast. For young people willing to develop the right skills and mindset, the opportunities are significant and growing. The World Economic Forum identifies green transition and climate change as among the strongest drivers of job creation over the coming decade.

10. How can parents support their children to prepare for careers in energy?

Christian’s advice to parents is straightforward: let them follow their passion. If a child approaches their work with enthusiasm, that is one of the biggest superpowers they can have. He also emphasises that skills are not developed from books or screens – they come from experience. Parents can help by creating or enabling those serendipitous moments: the conversations, the work experience, the opportunities that allow real-world learning to happen. Encourage your child to talk to people, ask questions and never shy away from a conversation – you never know where it leads.

11. What is Christian’s advice for young people thinking about their future?

Christian’s advice is to look for the opportunities and make your own luck. Never shy away from a conversation – ask people what they do, show genuine curiosity and follow your passion. His own career began with a rock on a beach in Lanzarote and a conversation in a university corridor. Neither was planned. Both changed his life. He encourages young people to stay curious, embrace AI without fearing it and remember that the path does not have to be straight to lead somewhere extraordinary.

Additional FAQs linked to the WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025

How significant is the green transition as a driver of job creation?

The green transition is one of the most significant drivers of job creation projected for the rest of this decade. According to the WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, climate change adaptation is expected to contribute 5 million net new jobs by 2030 – the third-largest contributor to net global job growth. Climate change mitigation is expected to add a further 3 million net jobs, and trends in energy generation, storage and distribution are projected to create an additional 1 million net jobs. Environmental Engineers and Renewable Energy Engineers are both in the top 15 fastest- growing jobs globally. Professionals entering this space are increasingly expected to combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, communication skills and a genuine commitment to change. (WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, pp. 25-26)

What are the most important skills for energy and sustainability careers?

The WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies the skills most likely to be critical across industries by 2030. For roles in energy and sustainability, the report highlights environmental stewardship as an emerging skill – currently not considered core by most organisations but expected to grow significantly by 2030. Oil and gas leads all industries in prioritising it, with 80% of employers identifying it as a growing skill need. Alongside this, analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience and adaptability, technological literacy and curiosity and lifelong learning are both critical now and expected to grow further. As Christian explains in this episode, communication has been the single most important skill of his career – and the WEF data confirms it. (WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, pp. 40-41)

How is AI changing the energy sector and the skills it needs?

The WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 finds that energy generation, storage and distribution technologies are expected to transform the businesses of 41% of employers globally by 2030. At the same time, AI is reshaping how energy professionals work: not by replacing their judgement, but by accelerating their processes. The report notes that by 2030, employers expect tasks to be split nearly evenly between humans alone, technology alone and a combination of both. For energy professionals, this means the ability to interpret what AI produces and turn it into real- world action will be essential. As Christian puts it, AI can tell you things exist – but it cannot make the thing happen. Human judgement remains irreplaceable. (WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, pp. 11, 25-26)

What does the report say about how fast workplace skills are changing?

Employers expect 39% of workers’ core skills to change by 2030. In energy specifically, the pace of change is driven by the urgency of the transition itself: new technologies, regulations and business models are emerging constantly. To prepare for energy careers, the report and this episode both point to the same fundamentals:

• Build analytical thinking skills – the WEF identifies this as a top core skill across all industries, and especially in energy
• Develop communication and adaptability – Christian calls communication the single most important skill of his career
• Embrace AI tools and learn to use them critically – the report identifies AI and big data literacy as a top growing skill for 2030
• Follow your passion – Christian’s career began with a rock on a beach in Lanzarote and a conversation in a university corridor. Neither was planned. Both changed his life.

The energy sector employs the whole spectrum of skills – from engineers and geologists to traders, communicators and strategists. Whether your background is technical or not, there is a role for you. (WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, pp. 32-34)

What are the fastest-growing roles in energy and sustainability?

The WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies several roles directly linked to the green transition as among the fastest growing globally by 2030. These include: Environmental Engineers, Renewable Energy Engineers, Sustainability Specialists and Renewable Energy Technicians. Climate change adaptation is projected to add 5 million net new jobs by 2030, making it the third- largest driver of net job creation globally. For young people today – the generation that will be building and managing the energy systems of the mid-21st century – the scale of this opportunity is hard to overstate. As Christian shows in this episode, a career in this field starts with noticing the world around you and asking how it could be better. (WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025, pp. 30-31)

Source: World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2025