Horticultural Solutions for the Planet: Building Green Careers for a Sustainable Future

Yesterday the The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) marked its 40th anniversary by hosting a landmark conference, "Horticultural Solutions for the Planet," at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. The event brought together leading voices from across the horticulture industry to explore the vital role our sector plays in combating climate change and fostering a healthier planet. As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, has the need for innovative horticultural careers ever been greater?

Inspiring Future Generations in Horticulture

David Domoney , CEO of Domoney Ltd and a prominent television presenter, emphasised the growing need to inspire more people to pursue horticultural careers. While horticulture offers a dynamic range of job opportunities—spanning science, creativity, and engagement with nature—it lacks the clear-cut career paths seen in other professions like medicine or engineering.

Domoney, a recipient of the Award for Excellence in Horticultural Career Development, highlighted the misconceptions about gardening and the wider horticultural industry. "Most people don’t see plants the way the industry does," he noted. "We are losing our connection with nature, and horticulture is not viewed with the excitement it deserves."

He called on industry professionals to take up the mantle of education: "We are custodians of the opportunity to share the beauty and wonder of the careers we’re in.” How can we transform the excitement of a child watching a bean in a jar germinate for the first time, into a lifelong passion for plants?

Innovation in the Face of Climate Change

In their respective sessions, speakers Simon Toomer and Kevin Matter from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew , and Ali Clapper, Executive Chairman of Great British Apples & Pears , underscored the urgency of adapting to climate change. With commercial apple crops under threat and rising death rates among ornamental trees in botanical gardens, the need for innovation in horticulture has never been more critical.

In this context, the development of new plant varieties with climate resilience is just one part of the solution. Just as we need new, resistant plant varieties, we also need new talent and fresh ideas to pollinate new movements and grow change.

The Role of Tech in Horticulture

Harry Langford , Head of Innovation at the UK Agri-Tech Centre , discussed the increasing importance of technology in horticulture. While vertical farming has been well-financed and seemingly driven by technology and data specialists, he argued that the sector needs greater collaboration between tech specialists and horticulturists to achieve practical, sustainable solutions.

"We need an amalgamation of diverse skills and experiences," Langford explained. "Tech experts can speed up the implementation of innovation, but we also need horticulture specialists to ensure that new technologies are fit for purpose."

Horticulture for the People: Local Initiatives with Global Impact

Despite the challenges, many speakers offered reasons for optimism. Mike Hardman Professor of Urban Sustainability at the The University of Salford , shared a success story from the North West, where a guerrilla gardening project has evolved into a horticultural training hub in Greater Manchester. This initiative, which engages the community and shares the wonder of horticulture, provides a model for inspiring the next generation of horticulturists and promoting inclusivity in the sector.

Green Careers for a Green Future

The CIH’s conference made it clear that the future of horticulture is as much about people as it is about plants. The need for innovation, education, and inclusivity in horticulture has never been more urgent. As the industry continues to develop sustainable solutions for the planet, the next generation of horticulturists will be essential in driving this change forward.