Thursday, February 27, 2025
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Director of sustainability, sustainable logistics consultant, eco-designer, and cultural manager specializing in sustainable projects. Decarbonization is a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to create new jobs and transform the labor market.
Sustainability opens up a wide range of options in the employment of the future. In a context where decarbonization is a priority, profiles with what are known as green skills have become an essential resource for companies. People use these skills to implement sustainable practices in their jobs and promote a positive impact on the environment. Although there is still a gap between the educational selection and the market's needs, the sustainable energy industry and all aspects related to sustainability not only promise to be a driver of employment but also an opportunity for those seeking to make a positive impact on their professional development. In fact, a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) on World Youth Employment Trends suggests that the green economy could generate around 24 million jobs by 2030. In Spain alone, by the end of 2019, this sector had already contributed more than half a million jobs, representing 2.5% of all jobs.
With this in mind, it is increasingly common for companies and organizations to incorporate the position of Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), who is responsible for integrating this aspect into the company's financial and commercial strategy. Their role is vital in structuring the circular economy of companies in the face of the triple economic, social and environmental development. Their role goes beyond environmental management. They identify the opportunities and risks linked to sustainability, translate these analyses into concrete proposals, and implement strategies and projects that not only reduce their impact on the planet but also generate value for the company and society.
In addition to this management position, there are many new profiles emerging to adapt to the latest market demands. According to a study conducted by ManpowerGroup and Moeve, 55% of new jobs will require skills associated with the energy transition. This report has brought another piece of information to the table. Spain will be the country generating the most jobs in green molecules, with an estimate of 116,000 in this decade and 181,000 by 2040, which will account for 11% of the total employment generated in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
In an increasingly sustainability-oriented job market, almost a third of workers in the energy sector—31%—have vocational training, according to the report "Labor Market in the Energy Sector" prepared by Ranstad Research. In response to this labor transformation, Moeve, collaborating with Repsol, Endesa, Naturgy, the Spanish Energy Club and ManpowerGroup, has launched the Green Energy Hub, a public-private initiative driven by the General Secretariat of Vocational Training of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, to develop the professional skills needed for this change.
This Hub will focus on identifying key profiles in the sector, designing up-to-date training programs and establishing accreditation systems that improve employability in this field, reinforcing the connection between business, education and technology.
Moreover, the energy transition also generates indirect jobs throughout the entire value chain of companies. In 2022, the renewable energy sector ended the year with 130,815 jobs, of which 50,492 were indirect, as published by the Spanish Renewable Energy Companies Association (APPA).
Beyond new needs, the environmental transition will require professionals to acquire the aforementioned green skills and integrate sustainability into their duties. Here are the top ten most in-demand green jobs:
- Sustainable logistics consultant
A sustainable logistics consultant focuses on decreasing the environmental impact of transportation and logistics operations, designing strategies and programs that prioritize the use of renewable energies to decarbonize transportation and improve energy efficiency in storage centers.
Their main task is to act as an intermediary between producers and consumers, managing aspects such as labeling, product packaging, contracting and transportation costs, and creating optimal conditions for efficient storage.
- Sustainable finance specialist
In the financial and business sphere, this profile deals with developing financial strategies in line with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria that are taken into account when investing. In addition, they supervise companies' compliance with sustainability regulations and requirements.
- Environmental consultant
These professionals offer management and advisory services to companies, organizations, and institutions, helping them reduce their impact and comply with current legislation. Their work is critical to guiding companies in their transition towards more sustainable models. While their field of action is broad, the sectors where their presence is most relevant include the industry, construction, agriculture, and tourism.
- Eco-designer
Eco-design entails integrating criteria into the development of products to minimize their environmental impact. In 2024, the European Union adopted new design requirements for manufacturers to meet certain environmental standards. In this context, eco-designers play a key role in incorporating these principles into the conception and development of more environmentally-friendly products, using certain criteria such as less weight and space for transport, more sustainable materials, packaging that generates less waste, etc.
- Sustainable tourism specialist
The emergence of an increasingly widespread approach to traveling and exploring new destinations responsibly while trying to minimize the impact on the environment, the economy, local societies and cultural heritage has given rise to new professions such as sustainable tourism specialists. Their mission is to contribute to the conservation of natural and cultural resources, promoting practices that favor a balance between tourism and sustainability.
- Cultural manager focusing on sustainability
This professional acts as a mediator between cultural creation and consumption. Their work consists of integrating sustainability into cultural and artistic projects, as well as raising awareness and advising society, institutions and companies in the sector on the development of sustainable cultural initiatives.
- Sustainable technology solutions and projects analyst
As technology is a fundamental tool in the transition towards sustainability, the sustainable technology solutions analyst plays a key role in R+D+I. These analysts are responsible for identifying activities that are harmful to the company and transforming them into more sustainable and efficient solutions, from design and planning to implementation. In this line, a trend is emerging in companies to apply the green digital philosophy to their projects.
- Circular economy specialist
The main function of this type of profile is to guarantee the reuse, repair, and recycling of products and materials in companies, organizations, and institutions. They are responsible for analyzing the life cycle of products to mitigate their impact, reducing waste, and managing it efficiently.
- Renewable energy, environmental, and civil engineers
Renewable engineers play a fundamental role in the deployment and integration of these types of energy, in a context in which green hydrogen and biofuels are set to be a driving force for investment and job creation.
These professionals are responsible for developing solutions from renewable sources, applying the best techniques and designing logistics and distribution systems. Their work is complemented by civil engineers who use the designs of different structures to seek out energy efficiency and sustainability.
- Sustainable mobility specialists
These experts are responsible for promoting measures and solutions to promote the use of more sustainable means of transport, driving their decarbonization and covering both vehicles and charging infrastructure. In addition, they design and implement mobility plans that optimize transportation efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint.
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