Over the past 12 months, the UAE has witnessed a notable rise of professionals entering the region with expertise in environmental matters, experiencing a remarkable increase of +26 percent. Global recruitment firm Robert Walters has conducted an analysis revealing a substantial demand for such professionals in the field, leading to an expanded talent pool. As a result, there are now over 35,000 professionals in the UAE who prioritize sustainability and environmental compliance as their primary skillset.
Read more: UAE ranks first in electric vehicle readiness
These findings emerge ahead of COP28, a highly anticipated global event where more than 80,000 delegates will gather in Dubai at the end of November. The two-week program will encompass a series of events, seminars, and high-level meetings aimed at advancing the international movement to address climate change.
Zara Qureshi, principal consultant at Robert Walters Dubai comments: “It is no surprise that there has been such a demand for skillsets aligned to sustainability – in particular in the past few years where we have seen rigorous activity around diversifying income streams away from oil.”
“The large base of international firms striving for sustainability excellence, and the UAE’s goal to become a global hub and a centre for the export of green products and technologies, will only further drive demand for professionals in this area, and will fast-track the region into global hub status for the new green economy,” she added.
Demand rife
Robert Walters’ research reveals that the packaging industry has emerged as the leading sector for recruiting environment and sustainability specialists in the UAE, exhibiting a substantial increase of +79 percent in job opportunities. Following closely behind are the healthcare sector (+79 percent) and the hospitality sector (+64 percent). As the UAE foresees a significant 32 percent surge in electric vehicle sales and plans to introduce a national policy to foster the sector’s expansion, it is unsurprising to witness a notable +61 percent rise in sustainability-related job roles within the automotive industry.
In a recent development, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has introduced one of the region’s pioneering sustainable finance frameworks. This framework encompasses guidelines for sustainability-oriented investment funds, discretionary-managed portfolios, bonds, and sukuks. It also includes requirements for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures by companies domiciled in the ADGM. In parallel, the banking and financial services sector in the UAE has experienced a significant increase of +54 percent in job vacancies for sustainability specialists, aligning with the growing focus on sustainable practices.
Zara adds: “There isn’t a single sector that is not looking to improve their environmental or sustainability credentials in the UAE – and with the increase in job roles on the market will come an increase in international talent and salary growth.”
COP28 driving job growth
In June of the previous year, the organizers of COP28 collaborated with Robert Walters, leveraging its extensive international presence across 31 countries, to facilitate the recruitment of specialized talent for the upcoming event.
According to Zara: “A job role for within COP28 is not only a prestige opportunity but also requires a unique set of individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced around their specialist area, well-connected within the field, and driven and passionate enough to deliver on a short 18-month project.
“The recruitment strategy I undertook was wholly unique – approaching ex-UN and government officials as well as casting the net wide internationally. We have now placed around a third of the 250+ professionals hired to help deliver COP28,” she concluded.
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