Sustainability in Transition: A Changing Market, a Crowded Talent Pool, and the Value of Specialist Recruitment

Katie Pereira, Associate Director - Sustainability (UK)

Over the past 12 months, the sustainability market has entered a new era. Once seen as a niche area of business, it is now a central component of corporate strategy, compliance, and long-term value creation. However, as sustainability moves into the mainstream, the job market surrounding it has become more complex, competitive and in many cases, challenging to navigate for both employers and candidates. According to LinkedIn’s latest Global Green Skills Report, demand for green talent is growing almost twice as fast as supply, with professionals holding green skills 54% more likely to be hired.

A Shifting Market and Restructured Teams

The past year has seen many companies re-evaluate their sustainability structures. Some have expanded their ESG teams in response to tightening regulatory requirements and investor scrutiny, while others have undergone internal restructures to align sustainability more closely with business operations. These changes have, unfortunately, led to redundancies in some cases, resulting in a growing number of highly experienced sustainability professionals entering the job market.

This talent is not only highly skilled but also strategically valuable, with individuals who have built, led, or transformed sustainability functions during a period of rapid change.

An Influx of New Talent and Rising Competition

Alongside this, sustainability continues to attract professionals from other disciplines such as finance, marketing, compliance and operations, who are looking to pivot into purpose-driven roles. While this enriches the market with diverse thinking and transferable skills, it also makes it more competitive than ever.

For candidates, this means it’s no longer enough to be passionate about sustainability. You need a clear USP: a defined set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that set you apart from the crowd. Employers are increasingly looking for individuals who can demonstrate both strategic thinking and practical delivery; people who can move the needle, not just talk about it. Recent research also shows a shift toward skills-based hiring, where demonstrable expertise in data, carbon accounting or stakeholder engagement outweighs traditional credentials.

The Volume Dilemma: Too Many Applications, Too Few Matches

For employers and recruiters, the current hiring environment presents a different challenge: volume. With online platforms making it incredibly easy to apply, job ads can attract hundreds of CVs within days. However, many of these applications come from candidates who may not be a good fit and who are using the vacancy as a way to get noticed or break into the sector.

This can make the hiring process inefficient, time-consuming, and frustrating, especially when top-tier candidates are buried under a pile of unsuitable CVs.

The Case for Specialist Recruitment Partners

That’s why working with a specialist sustainability recruitment consultancy is more important than ever.

Experienced recruiters who understand the market, the nuances between roles, and the specific challenges faced by sustainability teams can deliver far more than just CVs. With strong networks, deep sector knowledge, and a consultative approach, we help clients cut through the noise and make smarter, faster hiring decisions, without neglecting long-term strategic objectives.

But our value doesn’t stop there.

We also support businesses with:

• Market mapping – to understand where the best talent is, what they’re doing, and what it takes to attract them
• Salary benchmarking – to ensure compensation packages are competitive and aligned with industry standards
• Organisational design advice – helping businesses assess whether their current sustainability structure is fit for purpose
• Talent pipelining – building long-term strategies for future hiring needs, not just immediate vacancies

In a market defined by complexity and rapid change, the right recruitment partner can make all the difference, not only in securing top talent but in shaping the long-term success of your sustainability function.

Final Thoughts

The sustainability sector isn’t just growing - it’s evolving. With rising expectations, increased scrutiny, and a fiercely competitive talent pool, both companies and candidates need to be more strategic than ever.

Whether you’re hiring your next sustainability lead or looking to build out an entire ESG function, partnering with specialists who understand the landscape can help you move with confidence, clarity, and impact.