India Inc. sees 81% annual increase in green jobs in January: foundit

• A 64% month-on-month growth was reflected in green job postings in January.
  
• Sustainability managers, environmental consultants, ESG analysts, safety specialists and design engineers are the jobs in high demand.
  
• The automobile industry has also seen a rise in demand for green professionals.
  

According to job search portal foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), India’s commitment to achieving a 500-gigawatt clean energy target by 2030 has led to an 81% annual increase in demand for green jobs in January, with metropolitan cities leading the charge.

Investments in the green sector have also proliferated compared to conventional fuel-based projects, enabling the creation of substantial jobs across the sector.

Moreover, a 64% month-on-month (MoM) growth was reflected in green job postings, with industries such as industrial products, heavy machinery and waste management hosting the maximum share in hiring demand. This is an all-time high for green job postings on the foundit platform with both private and public sector companies integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices as a central part of their business operations and transitioning to clean energy practices.

Says Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, “With an allocation of ₹35,000 crore of priority capital investment towards achieving net zero by 2070, the commitment towards addressing climate change and building a sustainable future is evident. India’s solar and wind energy sectors are adding thousands of workers to new projects and will continue to create steady employment opportunities. However, the enormous demand for green roles is quickly outpacing the availability of skilled talent required in these fields. Hence, consistent and intelligent upskilling and development is crucial to create an efficient green workforce in the coming months.”

According to the report, among job roles, sustainability managers (26%) are highest in demand as companies across construction and manufacturing consciously try to account for the environmental impact of their activities. Other roles in demand include environmental consultants (11%), ESG analysts (17%), safety specialists (15%), and design engineers (9%). These emerging jobs are the outcome of the growing number of corporations in India recruiting a skilled workforce trained in climate action to facilitate technological shifts and structured financing mechanisms to finally achieve net-zero emissions.

Environmental service and waste management industries experienced an astounding 1,765% annual growth in hiring activity. This surge can be attributed to the growing consciousness among Indian companies to safeguard natural resources and ensure proper waste disposal. Moreover, increased emphasis on addressing the pressing issue of rapid urbanisation in India has led to a significant increase in solid waste management initiatives.

The automobile industry (307%) has also seen a rise in demand for green professionals. With active measures being taken to cap transport emissions – such as designing sustainably, making better use of manufacturing resources, and sourcing ethically and responsibly – auto manufacturers are also investing heavily in electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce their environmental impact. Moreover, the EV market is gearing up to downsize vehicle emissions, making it one of the fastest-growing markets in the country. Additionally, the demand for green professionals is high in chemicals, petrochemicals, plastics, and rubber (220%) industries followed by FMCG (42%) and construction (30%).

Considering the rapid growth in green jobs, there is an urgent need to create a workforce adept in newer skills, many of which are related to technology. The report points out that today's workforce needs to upskill to meet the rising demand as organisations scout for skilled talent in AI (artificial intelligence), automation, IoT (internet of things) and other emerging tech. With the demand-supply crunch that exists in the market today, an expansive and inclusive curriculum that focuses on climate tech, green entrepreneurship and sustainability holds the potential to build a productive green economy in India with sectors such as solar energy, electric mobility, and e-waste expected to create the most jobs in the future, foundit said.

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