Green Skilling Shortage: What is it?
Demand for green talent in the UK grew an average of 20% per year between 2021 to 2024. In 2024 alone it surged by 46%.
Demand for workers with green skills in the UK grew by a staggering 46% last year, LinkedIn revealed in their Green Skills Report.
Between 2021-2024, we saw the demand for green talent in the UK growing by an average of 20% per year. In 2024 alone, it surged by 46%.
Green skills are the skills people need to work in jobs that help protect or restore the environment.
When it comes to Green Skills, Technical / Hard Green Skills tend to be role-specific and often tied to green technologies.
This might include things such as:
- Renewable energy system installation (e.g. solar, wind)
- Energy efficiency auditing
- Sustainable construction practices (e.g. retrofitting)
- Electric vehicle (EV) maintenance
- Carbon accounting and reporting
- Waste reduction and circular economy strategies
Soft / Transferable skills relate to non-technical skills that describe how you work and interact with others, there are many types of soft skills that are relevant for green roles.
Applicable across many green roles:
- Systems thinking
- Innovation and problem-solving
- Change management
- Cross-functional communication
- Digital skills for smart systems and energy monitoring
In order to be considered skilled in green skills, there are fundamental knowledge areas you should be able to understand in depth.
Environmental Science and Climate Literacy
A foundational understanding of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem services is critical across sectors. Professionals equipped with this knowledge can:
- Recognise how business activities affect the planet.
- Support the implementation of climate-resilient strategies.
- Communicate sustainability goals internally and externally.
Candidates with climate literacy are considered highly valuable in roles like Sustainability Officers, Environmental Consultants, Policy Advisors as well as roles within green-conscious companies. These skills are becoming increasingly sought after even in finance, tech, and logistics.
Understanding of The ESG Frameworks
The ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Framework is a set of standards measuring a business’s impact on environmental issues, social issues, and corporate governance.
Overtime The ESG Framework has moved from a reporting exercise to a business imperative. ESG reporting is becoming increasingly mandatory in the UK, as ESG reporting is now required for major UK companies.
Knowledge of ESG frameworks enables professionals to:
- Track and report on sustainability performance
- Align business operations with investor and regulatory expectations
- Embed ESG considerations into risk and opportunity planning
As ESG’s are increasingly becoming more mandatory it is likely that we will continue to see an increasing demand for ESG Analysts, ESG Data Specialists, and Compliance professionals, particularly in roles in finance, real estate, legal, and corporate governance.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Sustainable Supply Chain Management involves ensuring that procurement, production, distribution, and disposal methods meet environmental and ethical standards.
This includes:
- Life-cycle analysis
- Supplier risk audits
- Sourcing from low-impact or local vendors
- Reducing carbon and waste across the supply chain
Green supply chain expertise is in demand across FMCG, manufacturing, retail, and logistics. Many companies are hiring Procurement Specialists, Logistics Managers, and Operations Directors with sustainability credentials.
Environmental Regulations and Compliance
Understanding and applying environmental laws is essential to avoid penalties and drive sustainable innovation.
This includes:
- Air and water quality regulations
- Waste management laws
- Energy efficiency mandates
- Emerging carbon reporting and offsetting requirements
Professionals with legal or compliance backgrounds as well as green regulation knowledge are critical for sectors like construction, real estate, energy, and infrastructure.
Why are Green Skills in High Demand?
The UK is committed to pursuing a 2050 net-zero emissions target, but at the moment the workforce can’t keep up.
LinkedIn Data Scientists say the pool of green talent must at least double by 2050 to keep up to speed with the projected demand – and currently 13% of UK job postings now require green expertise, which is more than double the global rate.
The issue we face is that the demand for the roles is increasing at a faster rate than training capacity is currently able to keep up with. The skills are in demand, but there is a lag rate in supply – and when 70% of people agree all types of jobs will require green skills by 2050, this issue needs to be resolved quickly.
What are some of the most in-demand Green Skills?
- Sustainable Procurement – Sustainable Procurement saw 15% more people added to their LinkedIn profiles in 2024 compared to 2023, making it the fastest-growing green skill globally.
- Green Construction Skills – The construction sector has seen a 62.8% rise in green roles, highlighting the need for skills in sustainable building practices.
- Technical Sustainability Knowledge – This involves proficiency in implementing sustainable practices across various business functions, including marketing, HR, IT, and finance, and is increasingly valuable.
Building a Resilient and Green-Ready Workforce
The transition to a green economy isn’t just a short-term trend, it’s a structural shift that will likely redefine how we work across industries. Between 2021-2024, we saw the demand for green talent in the UK growing by an average of 20% per year. In 2024 alone, it surged by 46%. It is only predicted to continue to grow in demand.
To remain competitive and sustainable, businesses must act now to stay ahead of the game and ensure their workforce is equipped with the right green skills for a sustainable-conscious and low-carbon future.
There’s never been a better time for UK workers to upskill or reskill and move into a greener role, and for businesses to place more emphasis on green skills within their workforce!
To find out more about Green Skills and how to develop them: