According to research by LinkedIn, the UK saw a 12% increase in the number of sustainability professionals last year.
This is higher than the global average of 7.5% as the impact of climate change becomes more of a priority for businesses around the world.
European cities are leading the green jobs increase with the UK having the fifth highest concentration of sustainability professionals in the world.
Josh Graff, UK country manager at LinkedIn, said: “Climate change remains a defining issue of our time and while COVID-19 is all-encompassing at this moment, it’s reassuring to see that the UK is well placed to lead on sustainability with the world-class talent to take us forward.
The fastest rising core skill among sustainability professionals was data analysis, with a year- on-year growth of 18%.
Other growing skills were circular economy, corporate sustainability and environmental monitoring.
Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability officer at Unilever, said part of the rise was due to more workers looking for jobs with social responsibility.
She said: “The challenges the world faces like inequality and climate are increasingly visible across the world. A career in sustainability gives you the opportunity to tackle these issues by making business a force for good. Having a clear purpose is a key motivator for many.”
Graff added: “As the UK increases its focus on lowering emissions and with an ambition to hit climate neutrality by 2050, we have seen a rise in the number of people pursuing green careers.
"With the breadth of sustainability roles and skills available, it’s encouraging to see an increasing number of businesses and professionals looking to make a positive difference to people, society and the planet.”
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