Wage gaps and labor market inefficiencies are slowing global progress toward sustainability and a net-zero economy, particularly in Green Jobs, which play a pivotal role in India’s workforce transformation. Research by the Adecco Group reveals both the challenges and opportunities India faces in advancing its green economy.
India is making strides in high-complexity Green Jobs such as Cleantech Managers and Climate Sustainability Officers, which have seen impressive wage increases—73.6% for Cleantech Managers and 84.5% for Climate Sustainability Officers. However, wage growth is not uniform across all roles. For example, positions like Data Analyst and Project Manager in India experienced moderate wage reductions, reflecting broader global trends. India saw a -3.8% wage decrease for Data Analysts and -8.6% for Project Managers, pointing to the need for targeted interventions to ensure competitiveness in these roles. India’s Green sector still shows significant promise, particularly in roles such as Investment Managers, which have seen wage growth of 12.3%. This aligns with trends seen in other countries, such as Canada and Australia, where Green roles in high-wage sectors continue to thrive.
Bettina Schaller, Head Group Public Affairs of the Adecco Group, said: “The Green transition cannot succeed on goodwill alone and this disparity in wages highlights the disconnect between the urgency of mitigating climate change and the remuneration offered to those moving into Green Jobs. “To build a sustainable future and bring the global Climate Agenda to life, we must ensure that Green Jobs are competitive and accessible, providing fair wages and clear career pathways for workers at all skill levels. Businesses, policymakers, and social partners must take decisive action.”
Sunil Chemmankotil, Country Manager- Adecco India noted, “While India is making progress in Green Jobs, it’s crucial that wage equality and accessibility be prioritized. Many countries, including Canada, lead in Green Job wage premiums, and India must continue working to level the playing field.”
The report also underscores the importance of skilling and upskilling to help workers transition into Green Jobs. Many low-complexity Green roles require significant skill development to unlock higher-paying opportunities. Providing training programs to support this transition is critical, particularly for workers from industries with high greenhouse gas emissions. In sectors like Sustainability Consulting, India has seen wage growth of 21.3%, highlighting the opportunity for growth in this field. However, more attention must be paid to ensuring competitive wages and clear career advancement to make these roles more appealing to workers.
In conclusion, India’s Green Jobs sector has great potential, but it needs focused investments in training, wage equality, and career advancement. With the right policies, India can further strengthen its Green economy and contribute significantly to global sustainability efforts.
