Nationally, green job adverts made up 3.3% of all UK job postings in 2024, up from 2.3% in 2023. This growth added nearly 23,000 new vacancies to the market, with London leading in volume (over 58,500 adverts) and Scotland showing the highest proportion of green jobs at 5.6%.

The term 'green jobs,' as defined by PwC, includes roles focused on producing eco-friendly products and services, implementing sustainable practices, or supporting the green economy. This broad definition captures the growing emphasis on the environmental impact of work across multiple industries.

Tom Ayerst, PwC’s market senior partner in Bristol, highlighted the importance of sustained investment, saying: “Progress against the net zero agenda will require sustained effort and investment.”

Optimism and Challenges

While the overall picture shows promise, PwC’s research reveals mixed perceptions about the net-zero transition. Nationally, optimism about job creation remains cautious, with only 18% of South West respondents believing the transition will lead to a net gain in employment—lower than any other UK region or nation.

The green employment multiplier, which measures the ripple effect of green job creation, rose nationally to 2.4 in 2024, up from 2.2 in 2023. For every 10 green jobs created, 24 additional jobs are generated elsewhere in the economy, underscoring the broader economic opportunities linked to the transition.

Regional Highlights

The South West, while seeing an increase in green job adverts, reported slower growth compared to the national average, with green jobs accounting for 3.4% of job postings in 2024, up from 2.7% in 2023. Ayerst pointed to potential investments in hydrogen infrastructure and sustainable aviation fuels as opportunities to boost the region’s green jobs market, estimating these initiatives could create 40,000 direct roles and support 60,000 more.

A National Perspective

Despite a 22.5% contraction in the overall job market, the rise in green job vacancies signals a shift in priorities. The surge in demand for green skills aligns with the UK’s broader commitments to achieving net zero by 2050, but the uneven growth and public scepticism in some areas suggest more work is needed to ensure the transition benefits all regions equally.

For job seekers, the expansion of green roles presents opportunities in a range of sectors, from renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure to environmental consultancy and technology. As investment and planning efforts continue, the green jobs market is set to play a critical role in shaping the UK’s workforce for the future.

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