摘要：As world leaders gather in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the annual UN climate summit, the global conversation is shifting from promise

本文转自【Global Times Online】；

As world leaders gather in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the annual UN climate summit, the global conversation is shifting from promises to action. For Chinese companies with international ambitions, this is more than a diplomatic milestone—it’s a strategic turning point. In today’s era of “dual carbon” goals and rapid energy transition, green skills are emerging as the new global currency for competitiveness and sustainable growth.

A Growing Gap: Demand Outpaces Supply

Fresh data from LinkedIn’s 2025 Climate Talent Stocktake and the upcoming Global Green Skills Report reveal a critical trend: demand for green skills is surging, but supply is struggling to keep up. In 2025, global demand for green talent rose by 7.7%, down from 11.2% in 2024, while the supply of green-skilled workers increased by just 4.3%, also lower than last year’s 5.5%. Although the gap narrowed from 6% to 3.4%, this was driven by a slowdown in hiring rather than a surge in qualified talent.

This cooling trend is evident worldwide. For the first time since 2021, corporate sustainability roles declined globally, dropping 0.4% from 2024 to 2025. Germany was the only major market to see positive growth in these positions, at 4.3%, which is about half the rate of the previous year. Recruiters report that the second half of 2024 and the first half of 2025 marked the slowest period for sustainability hiring in recent memory.

Yet green skills remain a powerful differentiator in the job market. LinkedIn data shows that professionals with green skills are hired at a rate 46.6% higher than the global average. Companies are betting on green talent not just to meet climate targets, but to drive innovation, reduce risk, cut costs, and build resilience. Green skills are no longer confined to environmental roles—they’re now essential across supply chain management, finance, technology, and beyond. For example, supply chain managers are mitigating climate-related disruptions and promoting regenerative agriculture, financial analysts are integrating climate risk into investment models, and software engineers are optimizing code to reduce data center energy consumption.

Tech and AI: Accelerating the Green Skills Revolution

The technology sector is leading the charge in green hiring, with annual growth exceeding 11% from 2021 to 2025. The rise of artificial intelligence has only intensified the need for operational efficiency, energy management, waste reduction, and expertise in sustainable supply chains. Globally, energy management was the fastest-growing green skill in 2025, up 17.4% year-over-year, fueled by the expansion of renewables and the energy demands of AI infrastructure.

AI-related green skills are also surging: operational efficiency (+579%), maintenance and repair (+190%), product lifecycle management (+152%), and process optimization (+132%). These capabilities are critical as companies grapple with the environmental impact of data centers, chip manufacturing, and the broader digital economy. Extending the lifespan of hardware and optimizing resource use are now central to both cost control and emissions reduction.

The Next Generation: Ambition Meets Access Barriers

Interest in green careers is booming among younger professionals. Globally, 40% of workers say they want a job related to the energy transition or climate action—a figure that rises to 50% among Millennials and 60% among Gen Z. Yet barriers remain: 30% feel they lack the necessary skills, and nearly half report limited access to relevant training. This is not just a skills gap, but an access gap—one that risks sidelining passionate talent from the industries shaping our future.

Global Trends: Brazil Surges, Europe Cools, China’s Opportunity

The green hiring landscape is evolving rapidly. In Brazil, the share of green hires jumped from 12.1% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2025, with green talent rising from 12.3% to 15.3%. Key skills in demand include risk mitigation, operational efficiency, integrated supply chain management, sustainability strategy, and climate impact analysis. Sectors such as agriculture, construction, and energy are leading the way.

Spain saw green hiring grow by 5.5% and supply by 4.7%, with supply chain management skills up 101%, product lifecycle management up 64%, and operational efficiency up 57%. Italy stands out as the only major market where supply outpaced demand: green skills grew by 3.5%, while demand dipped slightly. Notably, green roles still accounted for 18.6% of all hires, with sustainable business, strategy, and resource protection among the fastest-growing skills. In Germany, the shortage of technical talent has eased somewhat, but structural gaps persist, especially in energy and construction.

China’s Going Global: Making Green the Foundation of Growth

For Chinese companies, the implications are clear. As they expand globally, green skills are no longer a “nice-to-have”—they are a strategic imperative. “Green development is not just about fulfilling international responsibilities; it’s the key to earning market trust and building brand reputation,” says Wang Qian, Country Manager of LinkedIn China. “We’re seeing more Chinese companies proactively adopt green supply chain management, carbon accounting, and sustainable innovation in their overseas projects. This not only helps them comply with local regulations but also makes them more attractive to customers and investors. In the future, green skills will be the core competitive advantage for Chinese companies going global. Those who invest early will stand out on the world stage.”

To truly lead, Chinese enterprises must embed green thinking into every aspect of their strategy and operations—from product design and supply chain management to energy use in overseas factories, cross-border logistics, compliance, and workforce training. Green must become the foundation of globalization, not just a response to regulatory pressure, but a lever for capturing new market opportunities. As ESG and carbon footprint standards tighten in Europe and North America, green capabilities will directly impact contract wins, financing costs, and brand value. Long-term leadership will depend on integrating green skills into talent strategies, business models, and innovation pipelines.

From Commitment to Action: The Road Ahead

COP30’s focus on implementation signals a new era for climate governance. For Chinese companies, green transformation is no longer optional—it’s essential. Technology and capital matter, but ultimately, it’s people and skills that will determine who wins in the green economy. As LinkedIn’s insights show, green skills are reshaping the global workforce and redefining what it means to be competitive. The time to act is now: those who invest in green talent and sustainable growth will not only meet the demands of today’s market, but also secure their place in tomorrow’s global economy.(By Fran)

来源：环球网财经