Preparing for a "Green Collar" Workforce in India

India's ambitious plan to achieve net-zero carbon emission targets is giving rise to a new group of skill-based jobs, referred to as “green collar jobs.”

“Green collar jobs” are roles that help protect or restore the environment. They involve leveraging green skills within sectors like renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, mobility, agriculture, waste management, and infrastructure development. 

In the upcoming years, the growth of “green collar jobs” is expected to grow at an unprecedented rate. According to The World Economic Forum’s Mission 2070: A Green New Deal for a Net-Zero India Report, the green transition in India could create over 50 million jobs and contribute more than $1 trillion in economic impact by 2030 and around $15 trillion by 2070. From manufacturing to tech and finance, roles may be remade. In addition, entirely new positions may emerge. Still, the impact is likely to be unequal, with some worker groups more vulnerable to the job disruptions due to automation and technology. Understandably, skills and labor shortages are imminent.

India’s role and contributions remain critical. Fostering equal and inclusive growth across sectors, deploying massive reskilling initiatives, and introducing targeted policy changes are essential to achieve current targets.

This article examines how the planned green transition could create a potential green skills shortage and highlights the roles of the public and private sectors in preparing for a green-collar workforce. 

What are “Green Collar Jobs?”

“Green collar” refers to the category of jobs that contribute to environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. Even jobs that help create environmentally friendly processes fall in this category.

Examples of “green collar jobs” include renewable energy technicians, environmental consultants, waste management experts, autonomous vehicle specialists, sustainable building architects, and green finance analysts, among others.

As investments in sustainability and climate change mitigation grow, so does the demand for “green collar jobs.” According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, climate change mitigation ranks as the third most transformative trend globally, with nearly 47% of businesses planning to implement climate-focused business shifts by 2030. As a result, roles in green energy transition are expected to be among the fastest-growing jobs globally between 2025 and 2030.

It is worth noting that government mandates to disclose ESG-related reports, known as the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR), also contribute to increasing sustainability commitments and, consequently, the demand for green jobs.

Benefits of Green-Collar Jobs

The benefits of green-collar jobs extend beyond meeting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals:

• “Green collar jobs” play an instrumental role in driving the transition toward net-zero, resource-efficient economies. The environment stands to benefit significantly from climate mitigation efforts. 

• They create employment opportunities across fields. Specifically, these include renewable energy, waste management, eco-friendly technologies, sustainable agriculture, and the development of green infrastructure.

• Beyond creating employment opportunities, green jobs also enhance labor productivity and income security, particularly in rural areas and communities that are marginalized.

Action Steps for Businesses and the Indian Government

The green transition is likely to have an uneven impact on different sectors, regions, and demographics. Skills and labor shortages appear inevitable. However, with the right upskilling and reskilling initiatives, many workers can transition into roles related to green energy and the energy transition. India has already set the wheel in motion, signaling a long-term commitment to preparing the workforce for a net-zero future. In 2015, the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) was introduced as part of India's National Skill Development Mission. However,  to fully unlock the promise of the transition, further steps are essential:

• A detailed analysis of India’s labor market is necessary to identify where upskilling and policy interventions are most needed. For example, sectors most vulnerable to disruptions, marginalized groups, and rural areas. This calls for stronger labor market information systems.

• Strengthening environmental science education in India can yield significant benefits. The Indian government can introduce specialized green skill courses and training across schools, colleges, and vocational centers. Strong collaboration between the government and businesses can help align training curricula with industry needs.

• Ensuring a fair and inclusive transition using targeted programs and support systems is necessary.

• Companies need to invest in upskilling and reskilling programs to develop future-ready workforces. HR leaders can step in and help businesses identify and fill green skill gaps. 

• Moving towards skills-based hiring can help. It's worth noting that this shift in recruitment systems is already underway in many industries.

• Periods of change impact well-being. Although the general sentiment towards a green future is optimistic, companies need to prepare their workforces for the transition. Companies should train their leaders to lead with empathy and intentionality. Communicating to employees early and often what the future will look like and their role in it is necessary to gain buy-in. Equally important is developing them continuously and making “green collar jobs” engaging to entire workforces. Simultaneously, developing organizational resilience should be a priority. It requires crisis preparation, cross-training teams, and the seamless mobilization of internal talent to address emerging needs. 

Key Focus Areas for Upskilling and Reskilling in a Green Economy

Government bodies and businesses investing in training programs should prioritize green skills that foster a sustainable and resource-efficient economy. The Green General Skill Index highlights the need for the following green skill groups for “green collar jobs”:

• Engineering and technical skills are essential for designing and building eco-technologies, such as expertise in robotics, automation, urban planning, and autonomous navigation.

• Science skills for applying knowledge-based domains like physics, biology, and related fields are required to innovate sustainably—for example, climate change analysis and e.g., environmental consultancy.

• Operations management competencies are crucial for supporting businesses in their sustainability and efficiency efforts, including green finance analysis, climate action planning, and waste management.

• Monitoring and reporting skills are needed to ensure compliance with environmental and legal standards. For example, carbon accounting and sustainability reporting.

Furthermore, as with any change effort, soft skills remain critical. These include critical thinking, active listening, creativity, empathy, and resilience.

Conclusion

A climate-resilient economy requires a “green collar” workforce to lead the shift. A systemic overhaul is necessary. Recruitment practices, skill development programs, and vocational educational curricula need to evolve to meet the changing needs of the workforce. This is valuable not only for supporting the green transition but also for promoting diversity and inclusion. 

Countries must step up their efforts. Investing in climate-conscious practices is imperative. It helps businesses reduce their environmental footprint and promote sustainability. The green transition also presents an opportunity for India to boost economic resilience and social well-being.

Organizations need to take the long view. They should consciously invest in learning programs that help build transferable employee competencies to thrive in the green economy. Above all, leaders must cultivate a growth mindset. Change and unpredictability should be viewed as catalysts for innovation.