The LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report 2024 paints a clear picture: the world is facing a critical shortfall in the workforce needed to drive the green transition driven by a series of sustainability targets, commitments, and mandates. The report reveals that global demand for green talent—those with skills directly combating climate change—grew by 11.6% from 2023 to 2024, while the supply of qualified workers only increased by 5.6%. If this trend continues, by 2050, half of all jobs in the green economy will lack qualified candidates, threatening progress toward global climate targets and sustainability goals.

Key Findings from the Report 

• Industry Demand: Utilities, construction, manufacturing, and technology are leading the charge in green skills demand. Utilities top the list, driven by the rapid expansion in renewable energy, with nearly a quarter of job postings requiring green skills, followed closely by construction and manufacturing. The technology sector saw the sharpest spike, with green talent demand surging 60% year-over-year as AI becomes more prominent and companies add datacenter capacity. 
• Hiring Advantage: Job seekers with green skills are hired 54.6% more often than the general workforce—a figure that jumps to over 80% greater than the hiring rate for talent overall in the US. 
• Fastest-Growing Skills: Sustainable procurement was the fastest-growing green skill globally, with a 15% increase in adoption in between 2023 and 2024. Other rapidly growing skills include ecosystem management, sustainable building and construction and energy engineering. 
• Representation Gaps: Women make up only a third of green talent worldwide, despite gaining green skills more quickly than men, and Gen Z, while highly motivated, struggles to break into the sector because of a lack of job opportunities. Both groups are critical to doubling the green talent pool by 2050. 
• Policy Impact: Government policies and climate commitments are accelerating demand for green skills across industries, particularly in countries with ambitious climate targets. The energy industry, which is responsible for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is globally prioritized, earmarking roughly $2 trillion for renewable energy since 2020. 

How NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business Is Addressing the Challenge 

The LinkedIn Report also highlights an exciting opportunity for students and professionals committed to sustainability and social impact, proving that demand for sustainability careers is not going anywhere. The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) is committed to empowering current and future leaders to embed sustainability into core business strategy to drive resilience and performance that aligns with the ambitious goals of the green transition. By engaging with our comprehensive offerings of educational programs, research initiatives, and experiential learning opportunities, CSB is helping students and professionals bridge the skills gap in critical areas of our workforce: 

• Education and Training: CSB offers undergraduate, graduate, and executive courses in sustainable business, with relevant topics including: Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicle Industry, Sustainability & Impact in Supply Chains and Procurement, Driving Market Solutions for Clean Energy, Global Supply Chain Decarbonization and more - directly aligning with the fastest-growing green skills. 
• Experiential Learning: Stern Signature Projects and “Doing Business in” programs (DBI’s) provide students with real-world and global experience in corporate sustainability, preparing them for leadership roles where they can apply their educational expertise and continue to upskill in industries with the highest demand for green talent. 
• Research and Frameworks: CSB’s hallmark research initiatives, such as the Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI™) and Sustainable Market Share Index™, provide practical tools for businesses to integrate sustainability into their core strategies. 
• Career Development and Programming: Programs like EmpowHER, a Professional Development Program for Sustainable Finance, supports MBA students in advancing gender equity and representation in finance by building expertise and networks to drive investment in critical social and environmental solutions. The MBA Summer Fellowship in Sustainability and Human Rights offers opportunities to gain practical and applied experience in sustainable business while supporting companies doing leading sustainability work in their respective industries. Networking events and career bootcamps connect students with sustainability professionals and employers, facilitating entry and advancement in the field - addressing the representation gaps highlighted in the report. 

The 2024 LinkedIn report underscores the urgent need for strategic upskilling and workforce development to meet climate goals. NYU Stern CSB is rising to this challenge, equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to drive sustainable innovation and progress in the green economy.  

Read the full report here.