Rising demand for green leadership skills as sustainability becomes core focus

Climate change and sustainability have become top priorities for global leaders and businesses. This focus influences discussions and strategies towards energy transition, driving us closer toward a green industry future. Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) processes are now critical skills for current and new leaders, and sustainability-focused positions are evolving.

Chief sustainability officers, ESG professionals, CSR managers and experts in sustainable supply chains are needed to support culture changes, drive long-term plans and strengthen business sustainability. Furthermore, the rising demand for renewables, electric vehicles, green finance and other sustainability-focused solutions will likely significantly increase the demand for sustainability leadership in the coming years.

At the leadership level, organisations are actively seeking renewable energy professionals. Individuals with diverse backgrounds in EPC, business development, engineering, and design and experts in policies within the solar and wind industries are in high demand. The requirements for green leadership positions vary across sectors.

Whether it be renewable energy in utilities or ESG integration in finance, green leaders must be agile to sector-specific challenges while achieving sustainability. This approach ensures that businesses can remain agile and adaptable in their commitment to environmental and social responsibility while continuing to satisfy the requirements of industry and stakeholders. 

There is rising demand for R&D and tech leaders in battery storage systems, material sciences and individuals with chemical science backgrounds. Another field gaining momentum is digitalisation in the renewables market. The solar and wind sectors continue to be more digitally connected, and analytics is becoming a prominent feature. Senior leaders in technology, cloud, data science and data security will rise in demand as more C-Suite positions open within the industry.

Green hydrogen will become a focus area in the coming years, requiring leaders in manufacturing, supply chain & procurement, project management and professionals in material sciences and chemical processes. According to industry experts, success in these emerging positions will depend on a combination of sustainability experience, strategic and creative thinking, data knowledge, agility and strong communication skills. Furthermore, experience in supply chain management, a strong understanding of the circular economy and stakeholder engagement are critical to support the sustainability goals of a business. 

One key challenge with emerging sustainability roles is the availability of talent with the necessary experience and background in some specific areas like solar modules or electrolyser manufacturing. The availability of talent at the leadership level in renewable energy is a priority focus area for the future success of climate and sustainability plans.