Everyone says the same thing:
“We need more people passionate about net zero.”
Here’s the truth: passion doesn’t close the gap.
The real shortage in 2025?
The sustainability talent gap — a lack of professionals who can combine three skills into one profile.
1. Data
If you can’t make sense of Scope 1–3 emissions and supply chain data, you’re not helping.
Sustainability without numbers is just marketing.
2. Technical in Sustainability
If your analysis won’t stand up to ISO 14040/44 or EN15804, it won’t survive the boardroom, regulators, or investors.
Credibility is everything.
3. Commercially Persuasive
If you can’t translate the numbers into strategy the board will act on, nothing changes.
Influence matters as much as insight.
What Leaders Tell Me
I hear this weekly:
“We don’t struggle to find people who care. We struggle to find people who can prove the science and win the board.”
This is exactly how the talent gap shows up in practice — passion is everywhere, but the mix of data, technical depth, and influence is rare.
Why the Sustainability Talent Gap Matters
The people getting snapped up today aren’t just purpose-driven.
They’re data-led, technically credible, and commercially persuasive.
And here’s how fast the market is moving:
Professionals with green skills are now 54.6% more likely to be hired than the average candidate. Demand for these skills is outpacing supply 2-to-1.
That’s the sustainability talent gap organisations must address — or risk falling behind competitors who are already closing it.
How to Close the Gap
Companies can’t fix this overnight, but there are steps to take:
- Rewrite job descriptions to reflect real, in-demand skills.
- Invest in training and upskilling around data and LCA.
- Hire for adaptability, not unicorn checklists.
- Partner with recruiters who understand the market dynamics.
Closing the gap is about more than filling roles — it’s about building teams that combine analytics, credibility, and influence to drive net zero forward.
Want to Win in 2025?
If you’re a company: stop hiring for passion alone.
If you’re a professional: build all three skills.
That’s the edge in 2025.