Scotland leading way in UK for green jobs creation

The fourth iteration of PwC’s Green Jobs Barometer sees Scotland take the top spot again for the highest proportion of green job adverts of any of the UK’s nations and regions, at 5.6%.

This remains significantly higher than the UK average of 3.3%, and puts Scotland ahead of Northern Ireland and London with 3.9% and 3.7% respectively.

First launched in November 2021, the Green Jobs Barometer tracks movements in green job creation, job loss, carbon intensity of employment, and worker sentiment across regions and sectors.

The Barometer also highlights that Scotland recorded the highest increase in the volume of green job adverts as a share of total job adverts this year – up by 1.6%.

The total number of green roles advertised in Scotland this year is around 28,700, approximately 2,200 (8.3%) more than 2023 and three times the number of roles first recorded by PwC in 2021.

London retains the lead in the number of green jobs advertised – with over 58,500 available in 2024. 

Scotland’s strong performance reaffirms its position as a key green employment hub, with the nation’s high proportion of green jobs having a greater ripple effect on the wider job market, as PwC’s findings show the so-called ‘green jobs multiplier’ in Scotland rose to 2.8 in 2024.

This means that for every 10 green jobs created, an additional 28 jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.

Across the UK, the Green Jobs Barometer reveals a significant surge in green job adverts, reflecting a growing demand for green skills despite a 22.5% contraction in the overall job market. The share of green job adverts as a proportion of total job adverts increased to 3.3% in 2024, adding nearly 23,000 available green vacancies.

According to PwC, the surge in green job adverts reflects growing optimism about the UK’s net zero transition. This confidence is highest in regions like Northern Ireland and Scotland, bolstered by successful renewable energy projects.

Scotland’s high concentration of new renewable projects is impacting on the type of green roles most in demand.

Figures show an increase in green jobs adverts across almost all sectors – with the largest increase in demand in mining and quarrying (+32.2%), energy (+16.3%) and information and communication (+4.4%). Demand for green roles in the construction sector has also increased by 3.3%.

Jason Morris, regional market leader at PwC Scotland, said: “Scotland continues to stand out when it comes to the creation of green jobs in key sectors. With triple the number of green roles advertised in 2024 compared with 2021, and the highest volume of green job ads of all the UK nations and regions, Scotland remains synonymous with the energy transition.

“There are several reasons to be positive about the future direction of Scotland when it comes to its role in creating a green economy. The inception and location of GB Energy and the opportunities around a number of renewable technologies – particularly fixed and floating offshore wind – and their supply chain requirements, are positive signals for future job creation.

“These are prime examples of the ‘ripple effect’ of green jobs, and all serve to underpin Scotland’s commitment to green energy. The Barometer demonstrates a concerted cross-sector effort to ensure Scotland’s businesses are in the best possible position to meet future net zero targets, despite their recent movement.

“It also shows a pressing need to ensure our current and future workforce has the appropriate skills to meet demand, and the infrastructure to continue to support sustainable industries as we take further steps towards the creation of a green economy.”