The latest LinkedIn Global Green Skills 2024 report reveals a significant mismatch between the growing demand for green talent and its limited supply. From 2023 to 2024, global demand for green skills grew by 11.6%, yet supply increased by just 5.6%. This widening gap threatens the progress of climate action initiatives worldwide.

Green talent, as defined by LinkedIn, refers to professionals with skills directly related to combating climate change or those working in sustainability-focused roles. The report underscores a critical issue: the demand for these skills is outpacing the ability to provide them. Projections show that by 2030, one in five jobs will lack the necessary green talent, a shortfall that could expand to one in two by 2050 unless swift action is taken.

Sue Duke, LinkedIn’s Vice President of Public Policy & Economic Graph, emphasized the urgency of addressing this gap, stating:
“This data is a wakeup call, and there’s no more time to hit the snooze button. Every single climate goal is at risk if we don’t have a workforce prepared to deliver the change we urgently need. Our data reflects policymakers’ power to shape green talent demand and supply. As governments finalize the next decade of climate commitments, they must include explicit investments to create the green-skilled workforce to combat the climate crisis.”

Industries such as utilities and construction lead the demand for green skills, with 23.1% and 20.6% of job postings in these sectors requiring specific green expertise. The technology sector also saw a significant rise in green skill demand, with a 60% increase in 2024. Sustainable procurement emerged as the fastest-growing green skill, showing a 15% increase from the previous year.

Despite this rapid growth, a gender disparity remains, with women holding only 10% of green skills compared to 17% for men, although the proportion of women in green roles is increasing faster than that of men.

The report calls for governments to prioritize investments in education and training to close this green talent gap, which is crucial to meeting global climate goals.

Find the full report here.