There’s increased demand for sustainability professionals. Hays provide some tips for how to make the most of this opportunity to develop your green career.
Organisations find themselves at the threshold of a pivotal moment in the environmental crisis – one that could decide the future for decades to come.
Whether it’s due to heightened reporting standards or increased climate advocacy, there’s a surging demand for sustainability professionals who can fulfil organisations’ ESG commitments. Hays’ latest Salary and Recruiting Trends guide revealed that four in five employers (80%) plan to recruit sustainability professionals over the next 12 months, and 84% plan to increase salaries during this same period.
Whether you’re just starting out in your green career or looking to advance it, here are some key strategies to help you make the most of this year’s opportunities.
Support green initiatives
Why did you choose a sustainability career to begin with? Perhaps to protect the planet for future generations, or maybe you simply wanted the chance to connect with nature. Whichever your reason, volunteering with green initiatives is a great way to remind yourself of the importance of what you’re doing – all the while identifying your strengths, interests, and gaining new skills for your next position.
For example, participating in conservation projects could help prepare you for roles orientated around biodiversity and nature-based solutions. And, in addition to gaining skills outside your current role, you’ll be better prepared to prove your commitment to positive impact at your next interview. You might even rediscover what led you to a sustainability career to begin with.
Focus on the sector’s most-wanted skills
Continuous learning is crucial for staying competitive in today’s job market, and even more so within sustainability. To keep your career moving, it’s well worth identifying the roles currently in high demand. This might include Environmental Officers, who were cited by LinkedIn as one of the top five fastest growing roles in the UK for 2025, or Energy Managers, who made the top ten.
Once you’ve identified these in-demand roles, consider what skills employers are looking for when hiring a potential candidate, and take every opportunity to develop them. Remember, this can include soft skills too. Our salary guide identified communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility and adaptability, and people management as being the transferable competencies most requested by sustainability employers.
As stakeholder engagement moves up the agenda, and the sector’s pace of change necessitates more agile mindsets, transferable skills such as communication or adaptability are just as influential as their more technical counterparts. And they could be equally key in the age of AI…
Familiarise yourself with AI technology

Technology has always played a significant role in the sustainability sector, where data is the currency of change. However, the rise of AI – no longer a futuristic fantasy – has opened entirely new opportunities for organisations and professionals alike; from boosting operational efficiencies to minimising environmental impact.
Last year saw organisations experiment with AI-tools, but 2025 could see the adoption of more sophisticated AI strategies – especially as the UK seeks to become an AI “superpower”.
Although you may have not joined the green sector to learn about large language models and autonomous decision making, familiarising yourself with the latest AI tools – and their industry-specific application, such as climate modelling or augmenting data analysis – will only make you a more desirable candidate.
AI is not without its drawbacks – not least the significant resources needed to power large language models and their development. But even this pitfall could spell a wave of opportunities for green professionals, who will be needed to mitigate these mounting energy demands and find solutions to harness AI for the good of the environment.
Connect with green professionals
For many sustainability professionals, a sense of loneliness in their organisations is a significant obstacle, particularly where leadership is lacking, or sustainability budgets are dialled back. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone – there are thousands of sustainability professionals who share your passions and challenges.
Consider attending industry events, joining professional organisations, and connecting with mentors for guidance and support. Building a strong network can also open doors to new upskilling opportunities and help you stay informed on industry trends, including the latest frameworks and regulations shaping the sector’s direction. And who knows – the right contact could even lead to your next role.

Branch out and explore different roles
Almost a third (32%) of sustainability professionals changed jobs in the last 12 months, according to our salary guide. The sustainability sector is as diverse as the planet and communities it serves – so why lock yourself into one career path? Exploring different fields outside your current area of expertise could lead to exciting new pathways and skills for the future.
By staying adaptable and open-minded, you might also find the opportunity to work in organisations across different sectors and sizes – whether that be a trailblazing start-up, a towering corporation, or an influential non-governmental organisation.
Feeling inspired to take your sustainability career to new places this year? Take a look at our Career Stories to see how other professionals have found their path.
This is a guest blog written by Hays for the Green Careers Hub. Hays is a strategic partner of the Green Careers Hub.
Image credits: 1 & 2 = Shutterstock, 3 = AdobeStock