The urgency of a new labor profile: green talent
The urgency of a new labor profile: green talent
In 2025, the labor market is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the climate emergency, the energy transition, and the pressure to meet sustainability targets. As a result, the demand for what is now known as “green talent” is consolidating: professionals with specific skills in sustainability, circular economy, renewable energy, environmental management, energy efficiency, and ESG governance.
This surge is no coincidence: it responds to a global context that requires real change in how industrial, energy, logistics, and business sectors operate. Companies are no longer just seeking regulatory compliance or image benefits—they are investing in talent capable of leading the transformation toward more sustainable models.
Evidence of growth: real increase in green hiring
According to the latest labor market study in Spain, hiring of professionals with green skills increased by 5.5% over the last year, while the proportion of professionals with these skills rose from 15% in 2021 to 17.2% in 2025.
Moreover, professionals with green skills are being hired at a 48% higher rate than the rest of the workforce.
These figures indicate that companies increasingly value practical experience, sustainability training, and skills such as product life cycle analysis, carbon accounting, sustainable supply chain management, operational efficiency, climate impact assessment, and ESG management.
Forecasts suggest that total demand for green jobs in Spain could increase by 38% by 2030 if this trend continues, especially in sectors related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and ecological transition.
Most in-demand sectors: energy, circular economy, and corporate sustainability
The growth of green talent is not uniform: some sectors concentrate the highest demand. Notable examples include:
- Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydrogen, etc.) and the energy transition.
- Waste management, circular economy, sustainable logistics, and clean production.
- Sustainability consulting, corporate social responsibility, and ESG governance.
- ICT, logistics, transport, and commerce sectors, where sustainability is increasingly integrated as an organizational criterion.
This shift shows that sustainability is no longer limited to “traditional green” areas (environment, production, energy) but permeates diverse sectors: technology, services, supply chains, logistics, and even retail.
Challenges: the talent gap and training needs
Despite the growth in job offers, there is a clear problem: the supply of professionals with green skills is not growing at the same pace. Globally, a recent study shows that 91% of employers report lacking the necessary talent to drive sustainability strategies.
This creates a bottleneck: investments in clean energy, efficiency, circular economy, and sustainable transformation increasingly depend on prepared human resources, but specialized training is still insufficient.
Some analysts warn that if this lack of training is not addressed, the gap will widen, compromising the ability to meet environmental objectives, decarbonization goals, a just transition, and competitiveness in markets increasingly demanding sustainable products and services.
Implications for companies, professionals, and society
For companies
- Integrating green talent is no longer optional: it is essential to lead in a market demanding real sustainability.
- Investing in internal training or partnerships with specialized centers is key.
- Companies adopting robust ESG policies will attract better talent and comply with growing environmental regulations.
For professionals
- Pursuing training in sustainability, renewable energy, circular economy, environmental management, ESG auditing, or energy efficiency can open career opportunities in a growing market.
- Transversal skills (project management, sustainable supply chain, impact audits, eco-communication) will become increasingly demanded.
For society and the planet
- A labor market oriented toward sustainability can accelerate the ecological transition, reduce emissions, promote circular economy, and foster responsible consumption models.
- Creating green jobs can contribute to a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable economic transformation.
Conclusion: 2025, the year of green talent
The data is clear: 2025 marks a turning point in the labor market. The rise of green talent—with career opportunities in renewable energy, circular economy, environmental management, corporate sustainability, and more—is consolidating. Yet the availability of trained professionals is not growing at the pace demanded.
For the sustainable transition to be real, this gap must be closed: institutions, companies, and professionals must seriously commit to green skills training. Otherwise, we risk missing opportunities in a moment of urgent change.
