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Over the past year, the green jobs market has attracted plenty of conflicting headlines. Some reports suggest recruitment has slowed as organisations tighten budgets and delay investment. Others point to continued growth driven by net zero commitments, renewable energy, biodiversity, water management and increasing environmental regulation.

So, which is it?

The reality is that the market isn't simply growing or shrinking. It's evolving.
 
A More Selective Market
Compared with the rapid hiring seen during the post-pandemic recovery, recruitment has become more measured. Many organisations are taking longer to recruit, scrutinising budgets more carefully and expecting new hires to deliver value from day one.
That doesn't necessarily mean there are fewer opportunities. Instead, employers are becoming more selective, looking for candidates with the right blend of technical expertise, commercial awareness and sector experience.
For candidates, this means competition can feel stronger in some areas, particularly for generalist sustainability roles. However, specialist environmental professionals continue to be in high demand.
 
Where Demand Remains Strong
Several sectors continue to experience significant recruitment activity, including:
Environmental consultancy
Renewable energy
Water and wastewater
Ecology and biodiversity
Environmental planning and permitting
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
Environmental compliance and regulation
Infrastructure and major projects
 
These areas are supported by long-term investment, regulatory requirements and the UK's continued commitment to improving environmental performance.
Many employers still report that finding experienced professionals remains one of their biggest recruitment challenges.

The Skills Gap Hasn't Disappeared
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a slower economy automatically solves talent shortages.
In reality, many organisations continue to compete for experienced environmental professionals, particularly those with specialist technical expertise, project management capability and client-facing experience.
Skills in areas such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), ecology, contaminated land, water resources, carbon management and environmental permitting remain difficult to source.
As experienced professionals retire and demand for specialist knowledge continues to grow, the skills gap remains a significant issue across much of the sector.
 
What Employers Should Focus On
In a more competitive hiring market, employers have an opportunity to improve the quality of their recruitment processes.
Successful organisations are:
Moving quickly when they identify strong candidates.
Offering clear career progression.
Investing in learning and professional development.
Promoting flexible working where possible.
Communicating their environmental purpose and organisational culture.
Candidates have become increasingly selective about where they work. Salary remains important, but development opportunities, leadership quality and meaningful work often influence final decisions.
 
What This Means for Candidates
For professionals considering a career move, now remains a positive time to explore opportunities.
While recruitment processes may take longer than they did a few years ago, employers continue to invest in high-quality environmental talent.
Candidates who can demonstrate technical expertise, strong communication skills and commercial understanding are well positioned to secure exciting opportunities.
Keeping professional qualifications up to date, expanding technical knowledge and maintaining an active professional network can all improve career prospects.

So, Is the Market Cooling or Growing?
The answer is both.
Some areas of the market have undoubtedly slowed as organisations adjust to economic pressures. However, the long-term demand for environmental expertise remains strong.
The transition to net zero, increased environmental regulation, biodiversity commitments and major infrastructure investment continue to create demand for skilled professionals.
Rather than experiencing a decline, the green jobs market is maturing. Employers are hiring more strategically, candidates are becoming more discerning and specialist expertise is becoming increasingly valuable.
For organisations looking to attract the best talent, and for professionals planning their next career move, understanding these changing dynamics will be key to success over the coming years.

Written by:
Jeremy Money
Director, JSM Associates

I have worked within the Environmental and Sustainability sector for 20 years, making me one of the most established and well connected networkers in the market.

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