Green skills encompass the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes essential for contributing to a sustainable, resource-efficient society. Demand for these skills has been climbing for several years, with recent growth surging even further. However, the supply of workers equipped with green skills has lagged, creating a widening green skills gap across various sectors, many of which are key to ensuring that countries like the UK achieve their Net Zero targets.
Encouragingly, green talent is on the rise. In 2022, the ONS estimated that there were around 640,000 full-time equivalents (FTE) directly employed in green jobs, an 8.4% increase from the estimated 590,000 in 2021, and a 19.9% rise from the 535,000 estimated in 2020. Overall, growth in green jobs was nearly four times the rate of overall UK employment growth between 2020 and 2022., according to UK Governement Nevertheless, to meet demand by 2050, global green talent would need to double.
What is driving demand for green jobs?
- Regulations
The growing demand for green talent stems from multiple factors. Regulatory frameworks such as the Climate Change Act, Public Procurement Notice 06/21 (PPN 06/21) legislation, and other industry-specific standards are driving companies to prioritise green skills to ensure compliance and accountability. These regulations not only mandate sustainable practices but also position green skills as essential for staying competitive. Without a robust green skillset in key job roles, companies risk missing new business opportunities, falling behind competitors, and incurring potential financial penalties.
2. Consumer Demands
Consumer demands reveal that customers increasingly choose sustainable companies over non-sustainable counterparts. Research from Marketing Tech shows one in four consumers is actively switching to more sustainable businesses. Our recent survey supports this notion, predicting that consumer demands for sustainable companies will become even more prominent in 2025, making green-skilled employees more essential than ever to meet rising expectations.
3. Innovation
In 2022, waste management and energy-efficient products led the green job sectors, employing approximately 139,000 and 116,000 FTE workers, making up 40% of total employment in green jobs. Advances in technology continue to open new avenues for sustainability, from renewable energy solutions to waste management innovations and green building materials. To drive meaningful change, companies need skilled professionals who understand these technologies and implement them effectively within business practices.
The demand for green skills outweighs supply
The green skills gap is a critical challenge affecting all industries. The Global Climate Talent Stocktake highlighted that, between 2023 to 2024, global demand for green talent rose by 11.6%, while supply grew by just 5.6%. If these trends persist, the imbalance will reach 101.5% by 2050. Certain industries are feeling the impact of this disparity more severely as they advance toward Net Zero, underscoring the urgent need to bridge this gap.
The construction and built environment industries are among the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, putting significant pressure on companies within these industries to drive meaningful change. With tightening regulations, construction companies are striving to innovate sustainable practices, further highlighting the urgent need for environmentally skilled employees to help achieve sustainability success. However, current trends from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce reveal a workforce that lacks sufficient training to meet the demands of Net Zero, emphasising the need for focused upskilling in these sectors.
The manufacturing sector tells a similar story. As of 2022, the industry’s relative green skill intensity sat at double the global average, suggesting a relatively higher concentration of green talent. However, in a recent Green Alliance Report many manufacturing firms outline skill shortages in recruitment, highlighting an ongoing gap between the demand for green talent and its supply. This disparity continues to pose challenges for businesses aiming to advance sustainability in the sector.
Positive Planet Solutions
In the global marketplace, green talent is rapidly emerging as the most sought-after quality in candidates. Employees with skills in climate and Carbon Literacy, carbon accountancy, and technical sustainability knowledge can tap into new job opportunities that offer greater job security, higher salaries, and increased responsibilities. Yet, employees are currently not taking advantage of the opportunity.
Finding the right training course can be challenging for individuals aiming to enhance their sustainability knowledge. At Positive Planet, we offer a comprehensive suite of credible training resources that combine our internally developed climate awareness and Net Zero courses with UN-recognised Carbon Literacy training. This unique blend ensures that learners gain a deep understanding of sustainability and learn how to implement it within their company.
Positive Planet also provides tailored support for specific departments, helping business leaders future-proof their companies and foster talent retention. Discover how we can strengthen your teams, from finance to marketing. Explore our range of courses to find the one that best meets your needs.
“I know quite a bit about teaching, and I was impressed with how the course was put together with pre-learning, a range of tasks, and a really good balance of important information and discussion. I learnt so much and it flew by.”
The Sheffield College
Conclusion
In conclusion, the surge in demand for green skills signals a profound shift toward sustainability across industries. While growth in green jobs is promising, the gap between supply and demand remains a critical issue, particularly as the world strives to meet ambitious Net Zero targets. Sectors such as construction and manufacturing face a unique urgency to adapt and attract sufficiently skilled workers who can lead and support sustainable transformations.
At Positive Planet, we recognise that this skills gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Through our range of tailored training programmes, we equip individuals and organisations with the essential knowledge and tools to excel in an evolving job market. Embrace the future of work with Positive Planet and join the movement toward a greener, more resilient economy.
