How green are jobs for the energy transition?

Abstract

Green jobs and skills are often considered essential for the energy transition. This paper critically examines internationally recognized taxonomies of green jobs and skills and compares them with occupations considered crucial for advancing the energy transition. Using O*NET and ESCO in combination with a regional input-output modeling framework for investments in energy technologies in the Netherlands, we analyze the greenness of additional labor demand generated by investments in widely deployed energy transition technologies. Our findings reveal that only a minority of occupations associated with the energy transition can be strictly defined as “green occupations”. The majority of occupations required for implementing energy transition technologies rely on non-green skills, with digital competencies appearing to be more crucial than green expertise in many transition-related occupations. These insights challenge conventional policy assumptions that emphasize green skills as the primary reskilling pathway. The policy implications for a just transition include broadening the definition of jobs needed for the energy transition beyond green jobs, placing greater emphasis on digital skills development, and ensuring targeted reskilling efforts that align with actual labor demands. By refining labor market policies to reflect the true nature of employment shifts in the energy transition, policymakers can foster a more inclusive and effective workforce transformation.

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Gasparini, D., Bakens, J., Mulder, P., Pestel, N. (2025). How green are jobs for the energy transition? Energy Research & Social Science, 129 , 104368