What are green skills?

As the world moves towards a low-carbon economy, the skills we need in the workplace are shifting. Roles across nearly every sector are evolving, and sustainability is no longer the concern of a handful of specialists; it’s becoming a core part of how we all work.

Green skills are essential for building a workforce equipped to tackle the climate crisis and support the green transition. These skills aren’t limited to technical knowledge like operating renewable energy systems. They also include broader capabilities like sustainable decision-making, systems thinking, and innovation – skills that help individuals and organisations reduce their environmental impact.

In short, green skills are becoming the backbone of tomorrow’s job market. Whether you’re in agriculture, finance, construction, or marketing, the ability to think and act sustainably is becoming more valuable by the day.

In this article, we’ll break down what green skills are, why they matter, which industries are driving demand, and how we can build a more sustainable future by developing them.

What are green skills?

“ Green skills refer to the knowledge, abilities, and values needed to live, work, and make decisions in ways that support environmental sustainability. These skills are relevant not just in explicitly ‘green’ sectors like renewable energy or environmental conservation, but across the entire economy. ”

Green skills can be technical, like installing solar panels or managing waste systems, but they also include broader capabilities, such as critical thinking, environmental awareness, and the ability to adapt to new, greener ways of working. In this sense, green skills are both practical and strategic, blending hands-on know-how with systems-level thinking.

What makes a skill “green” is not just the task itself, but the outcome it supports. A project manager leading the rollout of an electric vehicle charging network, a data analyst evaluating supply chain emissions, or a designer creating more sustainable packaging all rely on green skills – even if their job titles don’t include the word ‘sustainability’.

In fact, one of the defining features of green skills is their adaptability. As climate action becomes more urgent and industries evolve, workers across all professions will need to apply these skills in ways that align with both environmental goals and business needs.

Why do green skills matter?

The green transition is already underway, and it’s changing the world of work. From how we build homes to how we grow food and power cities, industries everywhere are rethinking the way they operate. And that shift isn’t just about new technologies, it’s also about people. More specifically, it’s about whether people have the right skills to support this transition.

As businesses and governments set increasingly ambitious environmental targets, there’s growing pressure to embed sustainability into everyday operations. That includes everything from energy efficiency and waste reduction to greener supply chains and product innovation. These aren’t niche concerns anymore, they’re becoming fundamental to how organisations stay competitive and compliant.

“ Green skills are also about economic opportunity and resilience. Green skills help organisations adapt to change, unlock new markets, and respond to shifting customer and investor expectations. At a time when energy prices are volatile and resources are under strain, knowing how to work sustainably is a strategic advantage. ”

There’s also a broader social dimension. If the transition to a greener economy is going to be fair, then workers need support to reskill and adapt. That means putting systems in place to ensure no one is left behind, whether they’re in high-carbon industries facing disruption or in regions where access to training is limited.

Ultimately, green skills are what make the transition possible. They’re the practical tools we need to turn climate ambition into action.

Examples of green skills by sector

“ Green skills look different depending on the industry, but what they have in common is the ability to support more sustainable ways of working. In some cases, this means developing entirely new competencies. In others, it means applying existing skills with a focus on environmental impact. ”

Below are some of the sectors where green skills are becoming increasingly essential:

Renewable energy

Roles in this space often require technical expertise in areas like wind turbine maintenance, solar panel installation, or battery storage systems. But there’s also demand for skills in energy planning, systems integration, and regulatory compliance.

Construction and the built environment

Workers in construction increasingly need to understand energy-efficient design, low-impact materials, and green building certifications such as BREEAM or LEED. Architects, engineers, and even project managers now play a role in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings throughout their lifecycle.

Agriculture and food systems

Sustainable farming practices rely on skills in soil health, biodiversity management, water conservation, and regenerative agriculture. As the sector adapts to climate pressures, there’s also a growing need for knowledge in agri-tech and climate-resilient crop systems.

Manufacturing and industrial processes

From waste reduction and energy efficiency to circular economy thinking, manufacturing is undergoing a major transformation. Workers are expected to improve resource use, reduce emissions in production lines, and adopt cleaner technologies.

Finance and corporate services

Green finance is one of the fastest-growing areas for sustainability skills. Roles here often require an understanding of ESG metrics, climate risk disclosure, and sustainable investment strategies. More broadly, corporate teams need the skills to integrate sustainability into decision-making, reporting, and strategy.

Transport and logistics

The shift to electric vehicles, low-carbon fuels, and smarter supply chains is creating new demand for green logistics planning, fleet management, and infrastructure development.

Digital and creative industries

Even in sectors not traditionally associated with sustainability, green skills are becoming relevant. Developers and designers are being asked to reduce energy use in digital products, measure digital carbon footprints, and communicate sustainability clearly and credibly.

And these are just a few examples! In short, green skills aren’t limited to one industry or job type – they’re increasingly important across the entire economy.

The growing demand for green skills

“ Demand for green skills is growing quickly, but the supply of talent isn’t keeping pace. As more companies set sustainability goals and governments introduce tighter regulations, the need for workers who understand how to support environmental action is becoming urgent. ”

According to LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2023, job postings requiring at least one green skill increased by 15.2% between February 2022 and February 2023. Yet only one in eight workers globally listed a green skill on their profile, suggesting that employers are struggling to find the talent they need.

And the gap is widening. From 2021 to 2024, the annual growth in demand for green skills has averaged 5.9%, while the supply of green talent grew by just 3.2%. This gap is accelerating, with demand rising to 11.6% in 2024 and supply increasing by only 5.6%.

This shortfall is already affecting industries with clear sustainability targets. In the UK, for example, retrofitting buildings and upgrading infrastructure to meet net zero goals will require 251,500 additional construction workers and 59,000 HVAC technicians over the next five years. Without focused investment in skills, these goals risk slipping out of reach.

The interest is there, particularly among younger generations, but the skills aren’t yet. A recent report found that while 61% of Gen Z say they want to work in a green job within the next five years, just one in ten is expected to have the right skills by 2030.

“ For businesses and policymakers alike, the message is clear. If we’re serious about delivering the green transition, we need to move just as quickly on equipping people with the skills to drive it. ”