Green skills seeing rising demand in job market

Fresh data from LinkedIn's 2025 Climate Talent Stocktake shows that global demand for green skills continues to outpace supply, highlighting the rising value of green skills in the job market.

According to LinkedIn, demand for green talent rose 7.7 percent in 2025 while supply increased only 4.3 percent. Although the gap narrowed from last year, the shift was largely driven by cooling hiring momentum. Global corporate sustainability roles even saw a rare decline, falling 0.4 percent year-on-year.

Despite the slowdown, professionals with green skills continue to be hired at a rate 46.6 percent higher than the global average, underscoring the role of green capabilities in innovation, risk reduction and long-term resilience.

Technology remains the fastest-growing sector for green hiring, supported by rising AI adoption and the expanding energy needs of digital infrastructure. In 2025, energy management became the world's fastest-growing green skill. AI-related skills such as operational efficiency, maintenance and repair, product lifecycle management, and process optimization also surged.

Younger workers show strong interest in climate-related careers, yet many cite barriers such as limited training access — turning the skills gap into what LinkedIn describes as an "access gap".

Meanwhile, global markets are experiencing diverging trajectories: Brazil saw green hiring jump to 18.1 percent of all hires in 2025; Spain and Italy reported growth in supply chain and resource-efficiency skills; Germany continued to face structural shortages in energy and construction talent.

For Chinese companies expanding overseas, these trends reflect both pressure and opportunity.

"Green development is not just about fulfilling international responsibilities; it's the key to earning market trust and building brand reputation," said Wang Qian, country manager of LinkedIn China.

She said that more Chinese firms are incorporating green supply chain management, carbon accounting, and sustainable innovation into overseas operations.

Experts say embedding green thinking across product design, supply chains, energy use, logistics, compliance, and workforce training will be essential as global ESG and carbon-footprint standards tighten.

Analysts also warn that technology and capital alone are not enough — talent and skills will ultimately define competitive advantage. Chinese companies investing early in green capabilities are expected to be better positioned to meet regulatory requirements and capture new international market opportunities.