India Sees Green Job Demand Surge by 48 Percent Led by Gen Z and Tier 2 And 3 Cities
India’s green economy is experiencing remarkable momentum, with demand for green jobs surging by an impressive 48% year-on-year, primarily driven by Gen Z and professionals in Tier 2 and 3 cities. A new report highlights a significant nationwide shift towards sustainability careers, moving green roles from a niche segment to mainstream opportunities. This surge indicates a growing awareness and commitment towards environmental action among the younger workforce and highlights the expanding economic landscape beyond traditional metropolitan centers, contributing to more distributed and sustainable national development.
The WeNaturalists Green Careers Report 2025 reveals that 63% of job seekers aged 21-30 are actively pursuing sustainability-linked roles, demonstrating a strong inclination among young graduates to pivot towards purpose-driven work. Additionally, 24% of interest comes from the 31-40 age group, indicating a broader embrace of green careers by mid-career professionals. While major metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Delhi NCR still lead in overall job listings, smaller cities such as Indore, Ranchi, Kochi, Jaipur, Surat, Coimbatore, Thrissur, and Lucknow have recorded a significant 50% year-on-year rise in green job activity, significantly outpacing the 12-19% growth observed in metro areas.
This shift means that 35% of India’s green job seekers now originate from non-metro cities, a notable increase from just 25% three years ago. Key growth sectors for green jobs include renewable energy engineering, solar energy systems, electric vehicle (EV) technology, waste management and recycling solutions, sustainability consulting, ESG analytics, climate data science, and carbon management. There is also a rising demand for skills in green construction, hydrogen energy research, and digital technologies like AI, IoT, GIS mapping, and carbon tracking. Employers are increasingly prioritizing certifications and practical field experience over traditional degrees, underscoring the critical need for green upskilling to foster long-term career growth in this evolving landscape.
The report’s findings align with national projections by organizations like the World Economic Forum and NLB Services, which anticipate an 11% rise in India’s overall green job demand in 2025. This rapid talent readiness in non-metro regions further accelerates this trend, highlighting the urgent need for climate-focused skilling, supportive policies, and robust career infrastructure to prepare India’s workforce for the burgeoning climate economy. The increase of 31% in job listings and 29% in structured internships, particularly those offered by NGOs and government-led programs, underscores the expanding opportunities for real-world impact in both urban and rural settings.
This surge positions India to become a global leader in green workforce innovation, with millions of young individuals entering sustainability-linked roles. The nation has a crucial opportunity to build an inclusive green workforce that aligns with both local aspirations and global sustainability goals.
