The global net-zero trend leads to a growing demand for green-collar talent in various countries. (Photo: iStock)
As the global movement towards net-zero emissions gains momentum, the outlook for green collar jobs—positions focused on environmental protection and sustainability—has never been brighter. A diverse range of job opportunities is emerging, with some roles even requiring no university degree while offering salaries exceeding $250,000 in the United States. RECCESSARY has compiled a list of the most popular green collar jobs both in Taiwan and internationally.
Taiwan's growing demand for green talent
In Taiwan, the demand for green collar professionals is on the rise. According to a report by 104 Job Bank in May 2024, there are over 3,500 new job postings monthly, marking a fivefold increase over the past six years. Notably, 47% of these positions do not require a specific degree. The highest demand is in sectors such as electronics, software, semiconductors, and general manufacturing, indicating a significant emphasis on building sustainable supply chains in the tech industry.
104 Job Bank's Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Chung Wen-hsiung, recently spoke about eight emerging green collar jobs, including urban growers, sustainability managers, waste management/green designers, ecologists, green architects, solar technicians/consultants, wind energy technicians, and environmental health and safety specialists.
Eight fast-growing green jobs globally
| Job title | Description |
|---|---|
| Urban farmer | Grows fruits and vegetables in urban environments, reducing land and water use while improving city conditions and supporting local food production and green building initiatives. |
| Sustainability manager | Helps companies and organizations align their operations with environmental sustainability through resource reduction and waste management. |
| Waste management/green designer | Eases the burden on landfills and incinerators by redesigning or upgrading recycled materials into new products. |
| Ecologist | Studies the interaction between the environment and living organisms, analyzing how human activities impact ecosystems. |
| Green architect | Uses eco-friendly materials and structural design to minimize the carbon footprint and resource consumption during construction. |
| Solar panel technician/Consultant | Designs, plans, and installs residential and commercial solar power systems, also handling maintenance and repair. |
| Wind power technician | Installs and maintains wind turbines, gathering data and monitoring equipment performance. |
| Environmental health and safety specialist | Develops health, safety, and environmental policies, managing waste and conducting risk assessments. |
Lucrative opportunities in the U.S.
Similar trends are seen in the United States. According to Indeed, four of the fastest-growing green jobs from March 2019 to March 2022 include:
1. Solar Salesperson: Selling solar systems and equipment, with job postings increasing by 113% and an average salary of $119,369.
2. Solar Installer: Installing solar systems and equipment, with job postings growing by 87% and an average salary of $62,993.
3. Environmental Sustainability Manager: Ensures organizations comply with sustainability regulations, with job postings increasing by 38% and an average salary of $91,292.
4. Environmental Health and Safety Specialist: Develops guidelines for organizations' environmental health and safety practices, with job postings increasing by 28% and an average salary of $84,913.
In the wind energy sector, despite inflation and supply chain pressures, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 45% job growth for wind turbine technicians over the next decade, the highest growth rate across all occupations. Remarkably, many of these positions do not require a college degree, and technicians can earn an annual salary of $80,000.
Fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. (2022-2032 projected growth rate)
| Job title | Growth rate | median salary in 2023 (Annual/US dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | 45% | $61,770 |
| Nurse practitioner | 45% | $126,260 |
| Data scientist | 35% | $108,020 |
| Statistician | 32% | $104,110 |
| Information security analyst | 32% | $120,360 |
| Healthcare service manager | 28% | $110,680 |
| Epidemiologist | 27% | $81,390 |
| Physician assistant | 27% | $130,020 |
| Physical therapist | 26% | $64,080 |
| Software developer | 26% | $132,270 |
ESG roles on the rise
Additionally, the emergence of the "ESG Controller" role has become prominent in the green economy. Trellis, a green economic media platform, reports that at least 50 Fortune 100 companies have adopted this position, responsible for ensuring the integrity of all ESG disclosures.
Tarynn Zenk, ESG Controller at Mastercard, explained at a forum that most organizations lack the capacity to assign ESG reporting duties to dedicated personnel at every regional office. As such, his role involves managing sustainability actions and data across various regions. Meanwhile, Scott Song, ESG Controller at CBRE, emphasized that the position requires being prepared to deal with regulatory uncertainties.
LinkedIn data reveals that between 2022 and 2023, the number of professionals with climate response skills increased by 12.3%, but job postings requiring at least one green skill rose by 22.4%. This trend indicates that green skills are becoming as essential as foreign language skills, giving job seekers a competitive edge. The World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests that new skills can be developed through university courses or micro-credential programs.
In Taiwan, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Taiwan) has highlighted the rapid growth of Taiwan’s green energy sector, which has exposed a shortage of professionals. They urged the government to follow South Korea and Western nations by enhancing environmental and green energy education. Currently, only 6% of related courses cover these topics. AmCham Taiwan recommends developing skills through research projects and increasing public participation in ESG to bridge the talent gap and better align with international developments.
Source: Trellis, Bloomberg, AmCham Taiwan, WEF(1), (2)
