Demand for businesses to implement sustainable practices has grown significantly in recent years, with expectations now extending beyond environmentally focused industries to encompass all sectors.
However, the supply of qualified green talent has not kept pace with demand. According to the latest LinkedIn Global Climate Talent Stocktake report, by 2050, there will be twice as many jobs requiring green skills as qualified individuals to fill them.
Such disparity highlights that now is an ideal time for aspiring business leaders to develop green skills, placing them at the head of the line when companies seek talented, qualified professionals to lead the green transition.
So, what exactly are green skills? How are they influencing the business world? And why should future business leaders strive to learn them?
We spoke with experts from Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School (NBS) to find out.
What are green skills?
The term ’green skills’ is used to describe the abilities, knowledge, and values required to tackle environmental challenges and reduce humanity’s impact on the environment. They encompass a wide range of competencies, including technical skills, such as skills for evaluating alternative strategies for implementing green, and soft skills, such as environmental awareness, along with an understanding of environmental laws.
Professor S. ‘Vish’ Viswanathan, an expert in Corporate Sustainability at Nanyang Business School and director of the School's Center for Business Sustainability, emphasizes that speaking the language of sustainability is the essential ingredient uniting all green skills.
“To effectively communicate about sustainability is fundamental to green skills. It serves as a powerful tool for driving change, generating new ideas, and fostering progress,” he says.
In recent years, the demand for green skills has increased significantly. According to the LinkedIn report, the call for green talent—which refers to individuals with one or more green skills—rose by 11.6% between 2023 and 2024.
This surge is largely the result of stricter environmental regulations from governments worldwide and carbon tax policies that require businesses to transparently report on sustainability efforts. Pressure is further amplified by a shift in consumer behaviour, as consumers are increasingly considering sustainability in their purchasing habits, which is forcing brands to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
With climate change expected to have a significant impact on policy-making for the foreseeable future, the importance of green skills is predicted to continue growing, as is the number of businesses incorporating sustainability into their corporate operations.
“People might think sustainability is a passing phase—this is not true. Green skills are the future,” adds Vish.
How to acquire green skills
One of the most efficient ways to acquire green skills is through formal education, such as an MSc or specialist MBA program. Conscious of the increasing significance of sustainability in both the workplace and wider society, many business schools have started to integrate relevant teaching into their curriculums.
For example, Nanyang Business School recently implemented a marketing sustainability module into its MSc Marketing Science program, while its MBA program features a series of new electives centered on sustainability and innovation. These include Corporate Sustainability: Strategies & Innovations, Sustainability Reporting, and Energy Systems & The Future of Energy.
“We're in the era of climate change, so we aim to better prepare students for the transition to a greener world of business,” explains Kuangjie Zhang, associate professor of marketing and academic director for the MSc Marketing Science program at the business school.
Green skills require a mix of theoretical and practical learning. Recognizing this, the Marketing Sustainability module at Nanyang combines theoretical concepts with real-world applications to teach students how to apply sustainability-related principles to business practices.
Alongside classroom-based learning, students frequently meet with guest speakers from companies that practice sustainability. Students also work on projects in which they select companies, analyze their sustainability-related efforts, and propose recommendations—offering students the opportunity to put their green skills into action. Ultimately, this practical learning equips students with an understanding of how to boost sustainability in organizations while still generating profit.
“Being able to strike this balance between corporate social responsibility and business success is key and what sets our students apart,” Kuangjie adds.
The career impact of green skills
Possessing green skills is already proving to have a positive impact on employment, with job seekers boasting green skills or holding relevant job titles experiencing a 54.6% higher hiring rate than the rest of the workforce overall, according to the LinkedIn report.
As more businesses adapt to meet the needs of climate change and society’s growing focus on sustainability, acquiring green skills offers a way to keep pace with the evolving needs of the business world.
“Students have already expressed that the green skills they’ve learned are highly relevant across industries. Most companies today have high standards for sustainability and ESG efforts, which makes these skills applicable almost everywhere,” says Kuangjie
With the future of business expected to become greener, adopting a green skillset, such as that taught at Nanyang, offers a way to future-proof your career in the long term. More companies and industries are likely to establish dedicated units focused on sustainability, creating numerous opportunities for MBA grads seeking jobs in this field.
“There is a lot of hope for MBA grads looking to enter sustainability. However, to maintain your green skills and truly future-proof your career, you must be committed to continuous learning and staying updated,” explains Vish.