Clean Energy
2024 was a year of challenges and opportunities in clean energy hiring. As we head into 2025, the market is shifting—strategic senior hires are on the rise, cleantech demand is growing, and businesses are adapting to a changing talent landscape. Dive into the latest trends and what to expect in the year ahead.
Private Markets, Infrastructure and Real Assets
Q4 2024 closed on a strong note, with rising M&A activity, increased fundraising, and expanding ESG integration in private markets. As we enter 2025, firms are navigating regulatory shifts, regional challenges, and talent competition. Read our latest insights into private equity, infrastructure, and sustainable investments.
Asset Managers, Asset Owners, Foundations, and Charities
Q4 2024 saw an unexpected surge in hiring activity, with a focus on junior and mid-level talent. As we enter 2025, sustainability continues to drive demand, particularly in asset management and nonprofit sectors. Read our analysis on the current hiring landscape, compensation trends, and strategic growth in the sector.
Renewable energy & Cleantech sector
As 2024 comes to a close, the renewable energy sector faces a mix of optimism and challenges. High interest rates and supply chain issues are slowing growth, while recruitment remains active, especially in greenfield development. With increasing demand for diverse talent, companies are looking for skilled professionals to navigate the sector's next phase.
Private Markets, Infrastructure and Real Assets
Private equity is increasingly integrating ESG into business strategies, with demand for professionals skilled in navigating complex regulations, driving value creation, and managing climate-related risks. From Europe to the Middle East, firms are focusing on sustainable investment practices and preparing for a rise in activity in Q4 2024.
Public Markets
As sustainability continues to drive hiring trends in public markets, asset owners and managers are seeking specialists to navigate complex regulations and stewardship challenges. Despite political and economic uncertainties, growth in stewardship roles is evident across the UK, Europe, and North America, with an increasing focus on the integration of sustainability in asset management.
Our 3rd quarter impacts
Our Talent Roots initiative continues to drive positive change in Q3, focusing on mentoring, environmental sustainability, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key highlights include mentoring students, launching a sustainable finance program, and partnering with B1G1 for impactful community actions like the River Thames cleanup.
Sustainability / ESG Consulting Market Observations
Although overall hiring in the ESG consulting market has been subdued, growth is evident in specialised areas such as biodiversity consulting and nature-based solutions. Demand in the sector is fuelled by legislation like Biodiversity Net Gain, CSDDD, and TCFD. However, challenges lie in talent retention, with competition rising for roles in ecology, climate, and nature restoration.
UK and EU Renewable Energy Sector
Q2 2024 saw progress in both the UK and EU renewable energy markets, with notable developments in solar, energy storage, and offshore wind. However, challenges like grid congestion, onshore project setbacks, and recruitment gaps persist. As the market diversifies and evolves, strategic hiring approaches and political uncertainties will shape future growth.
Will CSDDD spark the next hiring challenge?
As CSDDD enforces deeper supply chain transparency, firms will need professionals skilled in human rights due diligence and industry-specific knowledge. This shift from data reporting to actionable compliance will create new hiring demands, particularly for professionals with expertise in global supply chain complexities and ESG frameworks.
Our 2nd quarter impact 2024
In Q2 2024, Talent Roots made a tangible impact through a shoe drive for South African orphans, 10 industry interviews for Queen Mary University students on DEI in financial services, and a river cleanup for Mental Health Awareness Week. We continued supporting SDGs through our B1G1 partnership.
Public Markets
In Q2 2024, sustainable investing teams are evolving across regions. The UK sees a slow build in ESG team hires as regulations stabilise, while the US is hiring for stewardship roles amidst shifting political landscapes. In the Middle East, sovereign wealth funds focus on decarbonisation and portfolio optimisation, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making.
Private Markets and Real Assets
As 2024 progresses, private equity firms in the UK, Europe, and North America are increasingly recruiting ESG professionals to integrate sustainability into investment decisions. Key skills include expertise in climate solutions, decarbonisation strategies, and real asset assessments. Regulatory frameworks like the SDR, SFDR, and SEC proposals are driving the need for transparency and rigorous ESG integration. The Middle East is also seeing a rise in ESG activity, with real estate funds focusing on sustainability and climate transition financing despite talent shortages.