Environmental Management Jobs: Opportunities and Challenges in the Cameroonian Sahel Zone

Résumé En

Environmental management has become a major issue in Cameroon's Sahel region, due to the effects of climate change and the increasing degradation of natural resources. This article examines the opportunities and challenges associated with environmental management professions in this region. The study is based on an in-depth literature review and a field survey of environmental professionals and organizations. The results show that the development of renewable energy (72% ± 5%) is perceived as an important economic driver, particularly in rural areas without electricity, while 65% of respondents believe that environmental management professions promote job creation in the areas of reforestation, waste management, recycling, agroecology, and renewable energy. Approximately 72% of the experts surveyed stated that these professions play a key role in adapting to climate change if preceded by training and awareness-raising (70% ± 6%), which must be strengthened to enable greater professionalization of environmental managers. With an impact of 78% ± 6%, limited access to financing constitutes a central obstacle, while 65% ± 7% of respondents believe that the lack of appropriate training hinders the professionalization of the sector, thus reducing available local skills. Integrating environmental management professions into national rural and urban development strategies could help develop public-private partnerships to foster innovation and investment in sustainable natural resource management.