Green skills gap threatens half of jobs by 2050, says LinkedIn

The recently released LinkedIn Green Skills Report 2024 highlights a critical concern: if the current green skills gap persists, half of the jobs in the green economy by 2050 may remain unfilled. This alarming projection underscores the urgent need for sustainability education to address the skills shortage and prepare the workforce for a sustainable future.

About the report’s findings

The report revealed that global demand for green talent is growing twice as fast as supply. If current trends persist, this could jeopardise the delivery of climate goals as jobs in the green economy will remain unfilled. It also shared the findings that jobseekers with green skills or titles are witnessing a 54.6 percent higher hiring rate than the workforce average. 

The gap in the US is leading at an 80.3 percent higher rate, followed by Ireland at 79.8 percent. Moreover, the utilities industry is leading in green job postings, with 23.1 percent of roles demanding sustainability expertise. This trend comes with the rapid energy expansion. Construction ranks second, with 20.06 percent of job postings requiring green skills. 

The main driver here is that the industry needs to prepare for increased climate-related investments and reduce its substantial ecological footprint. Manufacturing has also shown a rise in green talent demand, with 13.2 percent of job listings asking for these skills as businesses strive to decarbonise their supply chains and products. 

However, the technology, information, and media sector saw the largest year-on-year increase, with a 60 percent rise in green job demand from 2023 to 2024. On top of that, sustainable procurement emerged as the fastest-growing green skill, with 15 percent more people adding it to their LinkedIn profiles over the last year. 

Green skills development across demographics

The report also highlighted that women and young people are less likely to have green skills than older male jobseekers. It found that only one in ten women currently have a green skill compared to nearly one in five men. 

Gen Z, who will comprise one-third of the workforce by 2030, are displaying a strong interest in green jobs. The report shared that 61 percent of Gen Zs want to work in green roles within the next five years. However, at the current pace, just one in ten will be equipped with the necessary skills to do so. 

Calling on investments in green upskilling

The report calls on governments to put investments in green upskilling at the centre of their climate commitments. It also shared some key recommendations, including:

• Under the Paris Agreement, nations should incorporate strategies for developing a workforce prepared for climate change into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This would send the message that green skills are vital for ensuring accountability and meeting net-zero goals. 
• Governments should ensure climate strategies involve workforce and education agencies, as well as employers and training institutions. This would help measure progress and adapt as required. 

Conclusion

The LinkedIn Green Skills Report 2024 presents a compelling case for urgent investment in green skills development. As demand for green talent continues to outpace supply, the risk of unfilled jobs threatens not only the progress of the green economy but also the achievement of critical climate goals. 

In addition, addressing the disparities in green skills across demographics is essential to building an inclusive and climate-ready workforce. Governments, employers, and educational institutions must collaborate to prioritise green upskilling, embedding these initiatives within broader climate strategies and workforce development plans. Ready to take action and bridge the skills gap? Browse our sustainable business course today to gain the expertise needed to thrive in the green economy.